Dredge Operators pay range in New Orleans
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $43,520 a year or less, while the top 10% make $60,410 or more. The middle half of dredge operators in New Orleans earn between $46,170 and $49,410.
- $44K10th
- $46K25th
- $49KMedian
- $49K75th
- $60K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $50,180 | $4,182 | $24.12 |
| Median | $49,390 | $4,116 | $23.75 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $46,170 | $3,848 | $22.20 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $49,410 | $4,118 | $23.75 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Dredge Operators pay in New Orleans vs. Louisiana and the U.S.
Dredge operators in New Orleans earn 3% more than the Louisiana average ($48,710) and 11% less than the U.S. average ($56,120). At the median the gap is -1% against the U.S. median of $49,640.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans | $50,180 | $49,390 | $43,520 | $60,410 | n/a |
| Louisiana | $48,710 | $48,590 | $42,400 | $57,740 | n/a |
| United States | $56,120 | $49,640 | $41,080 | $74,140 | 1,040 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Dredge Operators salary after taxes in New Orleans
On the average salary of $50,180, a single filer in New Orleans takes home about $41,380 a year, or $3,448 a month and $1,592 every two weeks. Taxes take 18% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is New Orleans a good place for dredge operators? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the New Orleans area are 7% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 92.6), so the average $50,180 buys what about $54,192 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.0 times the median wage of all jobs in New Orleans ($47,290). A typical home costs $261,414, or 5.2 years of this average salary before tax.
Dredge Operators salary in nearby metro areas
- Houston, TX$68,470
- Kansas City, MO$50,070
Highest-paying cities for dredge operators
Houston, TX pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($68,470).
- Houston, TX$68,470
- New Orleans, LA$50,180
- Kansas City, MO$50,070
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Dredge Operators salary in New Orleans: questions
How much do dredge operators make an hour in New Orleans?
$24.12 an hour on average, and $23.74 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level dredge operators salary in New Orleans?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $43,520 a year and the 25th percentile is $46,170, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the dredge operators take-home pay in New Orleans?
About $41,380 a year ($3,448 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $50,180.
Do dredge operators earn more in New Orleans than elsewhere?
The average here is 11% less than the U.S. average for this job ($56,120).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 53-7031; area New Orleans-Metairie, LA (35380). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.6%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.