Baton Rouge Employment

Employment and Industries in the Baton Rouge, Louisiana Area

Baton Rouge includes one of the country's largest deep-water ports. The area served by the port flourishes due to the large chemical and industrial complexes. A variety of items are shipped through the port. Petrochemicals is Baton Rouge's largest industry. The Exxon Mobil refinery, situated in the Baton Rouge area, is one of the nation's largest refineries. In addition, the Greater Baton Rouge area includes a significant natural resource basin.

Some of the items produced in Baton Rouge include petrochemicals, plastics, rubber, paper products, wood, concrete, food and scientific instruments.

The major job providing sectors in Baton Rouge are government, tourism, healthcare, professional and business services, education, and finance and insurance. The government is the largest employer.

The Job Training Partnership Act helps companies select applicants, offers training for specific job skills and reimburses industry up to 50% for wages paid.

The following employers are the largest in the Baton Rouge region:

  • BASF Wyandotte Corporation
  • Baton Rouge General Medical Center
  • Dow Chemical Company
  • Entergy/Gulf States Utilities
  • Exxon Mobil
  • Georgia Gulf Corporation
  • Harmony Corporation
  • The Shaw Group
  • East Baton Rouge Paris
  • Jacobs
  • International Maintenance Corporation
  • J.E. Merit Construction, Inc
  • Our Lady of the Lake Medical Center
  • Bank One
  • South Central Bell Telephone
  • Turner Industries
  • Baton Rouge City Parish Government
  • Earl K. Long Memorial Hospital
  • East Baton Rouge Parish School Board
  • Louisiana State Government
  • Louisiana State Penitentiary
  • Louisiana State University
  • Southern University
  • United States Post Office
  • NanYa Plastics

Some of the most popular jobs in Baton Rouge which are primarily filled by those with college degrees are registered nurses, teachers, wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives, computer systems analysts, managers, educational, vocational and school counselors; lawyers, engineers and financial managers.

Notable information regarding Baton Rouge Louisiana: The estimated median household income in 2007 was $33,000. Regarding the population over the age of 25, about 32% have earned a bachelor's degree or higher. The cost of living index in Baton Rouge in 2008 was at 87.8 and the country's average is 100.

In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, businesses have opportunities to work with helpful associations such as:

Those interested in staying current on Baton Rouge business and industry activities can read the Baton Rouge Business Report.

Jobs in Baton Rouge

RankTitleTotal EmployeesLocal Mean Salary (Per Year)Local Mean Salary (Per hour)National Growth % 2014-2024
1All Occupations395100$46,210$22.22100
2Office and Administrative Support Occupations46830$36,240$17.4313.75
3Construction and Extraction Occupations40710$47,420$22.84.6
4Sales and Related Occupations36550$33,570$16.149.5
5Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations33520$21,330$10.268.7
6Transportation and Material Moving Occupations33230$36,460$17.536.7
7Educational Instruction and Library Occupations26940$46,040$22.136
8Production Occupations21420$56,830$27.325.6
9Management Occupations20700$99,380$47.786.35
10Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations20260$69,520$33.425.85
11Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations18820$50,960$24.53.75
12Business and Financial Operations Occupations17920$60,210$28.955.35
13Healthcare Support Occupations15730$25,570$12.292.85
14Protective Service Occupations13700$38,240$18.392.2
15Retail Salespersons11420$25,320$12.172.7
16Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand10420$29,070$13.981.8
17Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations10320$24,710$11.883.6
18Cashiers9930$20,590$9.92.2
19Architecture and Engineering Occupations9150$84,070$40.421.7
20Office Clerks, General7830$27,620$13.281.9
21Personal Care and Service Occupations6820$27,100$13.034.65
22Food Preparation Workers6720$19,410$9.330.5
23Home Health and Personal Care Aides6700$19,670$9.460
24Waiters and Waitresses6520$19,580$9.421.65
25Construction Laborers6100$35,480$17.060.9
26Fast Food and Counter Workers6080$18,910$9.092.45
27General and Operations Managers6010$113,480$54.561.5
28Computer and Mathematical Occupations5760$67,050$32.233
29Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners5670$21,940$10.551.5
30Registered Nurses5640$62,280$29.941.95
31Customer Service Representatives5370$33,230$15.981.75
32Carpenters5120$47,880$23.020.6
33First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers4980$62,260$29.930.4
34Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other4930$57,930$27.850.7
35Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive4860$33,700$16.21.4
36Maintenance and Repair Workers, General4630$41,270$19.840.9
37Security Guards4610$31,940$15.360.7
38Community and Social Service Occupations4580$50,130$24.11.75
39Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations4430$66,300$31.870.8
40Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks4310$40,970$19.71.05
41Stockers and Order Fillers4190$24,880$11.961.25
42First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers4140$51,380$24.70.95
43Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations3910$55,010$26.451.8
44Electricians3810$51,200$24.620.45
45Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products3770$60,800$29.230.85
46Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers3740$41,470$19.941.2
47Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters3660$57,030$27.420.3
48First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers3470$38,690$18.60.95
49Nursing Assistants3340$24,200$11.640.95
50Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants3240$42,500$20.430.35
51Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses3130$39,920$19.190.5
52Personal Service Managers, All Other; Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling; and Managers, All Other3020$92,000$44.230.7
53Light Truck Drivers2980$31,970$15.370.6
54Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers2960$66,360$31.90.3
55Legal Occupations2860$77,690$37.350.8
56Receptionists and Information Clerks2800$26,740$12.860.7
57Correctional Officers and Jailers2660$36,400$17.50.25
58First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers2650$33,190$15.960.6
59Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators2620$50,640$24.350.25
60First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers2220$95,410$45.870.4
61Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers2120$43,970$21.140.4
62Cooks, Restaurant2080$25,420$12.220.9
63First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers1990$74,400$35.770.3
64Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers1960$30,340$14.590.75
65Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers1930$58,450$28.10.35
66Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel1930$45,540$21.890.7
67Childcare Workers1840$20,930$10.060.7
68Helpers, Construction Trades, All Other1740$33,140$15.940
69Painters, Construction and Maintenance1740$42,570$20.470.2
70Bartenders1660$20,930$10.060.4
71First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors1650$56,660$27.240.3
72Production Workers, All Other1620$43,830$21.070.15
73Cooks, Fast Food1610$19,240$9.250.3
74Insulation Workers, Mechanical1540$48,940$23.530
75Engineers, All Other1530$87,050$41.850.1
76Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics1490$44,390$21.340.5
77Miscellaneous Construction and Related Workers1480$46,350$22.280
78Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners1470$21,020$10.110.9
79Chemical Plant and System Operators1460$72,350$34.780
80Lawyers1460$108,540$52.190.5
81Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks1410$36,870$17.730.4
82Industrial Machinery Mechanics1390$67,220$32.320.2
83Medical Assistants1390$32,310$15.530.45
84Financial Managers1350$106,910$51.40.4
85Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors1320$56,530$27.180.2
86Computer User Support Specialists1310$47,980$23.070.4
87Tellers1270$28,190$13.550.25
88Firefighters1260$29,630$14.240.2
89Cooks, Short Order1230$21,530$10.350.1
90Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop1220$20,580$9.890.3
91Insurance Sales Agents1180$45,410$21.830.3
92Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders1170$69,120$33.230.05
93Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators1150$40,710$19.570.4
94Construction Managers1120$95,970$46.140.3
95Helpers--Electricians1110$30,870$14.840
96Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall1110$45,720$21.980
97Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers1030$83,720$40.250
98Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment1020$26,020$12.510.3
99Human Resources Specialists1010$57,610$27.70.4
100Dental Assistants980$32,310$15.530.2
Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov
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Additional Details

Baton Rouge Colleges
Baton Rouge colleges and trade schools.

Jobs More Common Near Baton Rouge Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$46,210395,100
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$36,24046,830
Construction and Extraction Occupations$47,42040,710
Sales and Related Occupations$33,57036,550
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$21,33033,520
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$36,46033,230
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$46,04026,940
Production Occupations$56,83021,420
Management Occupations$99,38020,700
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$69,52020,260
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$50,96018,820
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$60,21017,920
Healthcare Support Occupations$25,57015,730
Protective Service Occupations$38,24013,700
Retail Salespersons$25,32011,420
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$29,07010,420
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$24,71010,320
Cashiers$20,5909,930
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$84,0709,150
Office Clerks, General$27,6207,830
Personal Care and Service Occupations$27,1006,820
Food Preparation Workers$19,4106,720
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$19,6706,700
Waiters and Waitresses$19,5806,520
Construction Laborers$35,4806,100
Fast Food and Counter Workers$18,9106,080
General and Operations Managers$113,4806,010
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$67,0505,760
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$21,9405,670
Registered Nurses$62,2805,640
Customer Service Representatives$33,2305,370
Carpenters$47,8805,120
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$62,2604,980
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$57,9304,930
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$33,7004,860
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$41,2704,630
Security Guards$31,9404,610
Community and Social Service Occupations$50,1304,580
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$66,3004,430
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$40,9704,310
Stockers and Order Fillers$24,8804,190
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$51,3804,140
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$55,0103,910
Electricians$51,2003,810
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$60,8003,770
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$41,4703,740
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$57,0303,660
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$38,6903,470
Nursing Assistants$24,2003,340
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$42,5003,240

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Baton Rouge, Louisiana Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$46,210395,100
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$36,24046,830
Construction and Extraction Occupations$47,42040,710
Sales and Related Occupations$33,57036,550
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$36,46033,230
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$46,04026,940
Production Occupations$56,83021,420
Management Occupations$99,38020,700
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$69,52020,260
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$50,96018,820
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$60,21017,920
Healthcare Support Occupations$25,57015,730
Protective Service Occupations$38,24013,700
Retail Salespersons$25,32011,420
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$29,07010,420
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$84,0709,150
Office Clerks, General$27,6207,830
Personal Care and Service Occupations$27,1006,820
Construction Laborers$35,4806,100
General and Operations Managers$113,4806,010
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$67,0505,760
Registered Nurses$62,2805,640
Customer Service Representatives$33,2305,370
Carpenters$47,8805,120
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$62,2604,980
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$57,9304,930
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$33,7004,860
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$41,2704,630
Security Guards$31,9404,610
Community and Social Service Occupations$50,1304,580
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$66,3004,430
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$40,9704,310
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$51,3804,140
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$55,0103,910
Electricians$51,2003,810
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$60,8003,770
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$41,4703,740
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$57,0303,660
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$38,6903,470
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$42,5003,240
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$39,9203,130
Personal Service Managers, All Other; Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling; and Managers, All Other$92,0003,020
Light Truck Drivers$31,9702,980
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$66,3602,960
Legal Occupations$77,6902,860
Receptionists and Information Clerks$26,7402,800
Correctional Officers and Jailers$36,4002,660
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$33,1902,650
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$50,6402,620
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$95,4102,220

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