Employer payroll taxes in Louisiana for 2026
On top of each paycheck, a Louisiana employer pays these taxes. None of them come out of the employee's pay. On a $60,000 salary they add $4,632.00 a year, so the employee costs $64,632.00.
| Employer tax | Rate | Wages taxed |
|---|---|---|
| Social Security | 6.2% | First $184,500 |
| Medicare | 1.45% | No limit |
| Federal unemployment (FUTA) | 0.6% | First $7,000 |
| Louisiana unemployment (SUTA) | Rate on your notice | First $7,000 |
Louisiana unemployment tax (SUTA)
Louisiana employers pay state unemployment tax on the first $7,000 of each employee's wages in 2026, at the rate on their annual rate notice.
Louisiana sets a new employer's rate from the average for its industry, so there is no single starting rate. Enter the rate on your notice.
What an employee costs in Louisiana
Yearly employer taxes and total cost for a single filer paid every two weeks, without Louisiana unemployment tax, since the state has no single new-employer rate, for an employer with 10 employees. Benefits and workers' compensation insurance are extra.
| Salary | Employer taxes | Total cost | Added to pay | Employee take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $2,337.00 | $32,337 | 7.8% | $25,756 |
| $40,000 | $3,102.00 | $43,102 | 7.8% | $33,482 |
| $50,000 | $3,867.00 | $53,867 | 7.7% | $41,208 |
| $60,000 | $4,632.00 | $64,632 | 7.7% | $48,934 |
| $75,000 | $5,779.50 | $80,780 | 7.7% | $59,673 |
| $100,000 | $7,692.00 | $107,692 | 7.7% | $76,488 |
| $125,000 | $9,604.50 | $134,605 | 7.7% | $93,239 |
| $150,000 | $11,517.00 | $161,517 | 7.7% | $109,554 |
Withholding from Louisiana paychecks
From the employee's pay you withhold federal income tax under the W-4, 6.2% Social Security, 1.45% Medicare and Louisiana income tax. Employees checking their own pay can use the Louisiana paycheck calculator. Running a bonus? Use the bonus payroll calculator.
Louisiana employer taxes compared with nearby states
The same $60,000 employee, at each state's new-employer unemployment rate. Louisiana has employer taxes as low as any state that borders it.
| State | State unemployment | All employer taxes | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | $0.00 | $4,632.00 | $64,632 |
| Arkansas payroll calculator | $140.00 | $4,772.00 | $64,772 |
| Mississippi payroll calculator | $168.00 | $4,800.00 | $64,800 |
| Texas payroll calculator | $243.00 | $4,875.00 | $64,875 |
Sources
Louisiana unemployment and program rates come from the state's own 2026 figures: laworks.net, laworks.net. Federal figures follow IRS Publication 15 and Publication 15-T. See how we calculate for the withholding method.