Machinist salary in Louisiana
Machinists in Louisiana earn a median of $61,110 a year ($29.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,640 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,930 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $58,750. Louisiana ranks 17th of 51 states for machinists pay. There are 2.4 machinists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $62,830, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for machinists in Louisiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,930 | $19.20 |
| 25th percentile | $49,030 | $23.57 |
| Median | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| 75th percentile | $75,170 | $36.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,930 | $40.83 |
| Average (mean) | $62,830 | $30.21 |
Half of machinists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,092.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,546.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,350.38 |
| Weekly | $1,175.19 |
| Hourly | $29.38 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Machinist salary in cities in Louisiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Charles, LA | $75,580 | 280 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $67,700 | 870 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $66,990 | 550 |
| Monroe, LA | $63,350 | 130 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $61,700 | 110 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $60,440 | 340 |
| Lafayette, LA | $59,830 | 980 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $55,560 | 570 |
Highest-paying states for machinists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $84,410 |
| Alaska | $77,670 |
| District of Columbia | $72,900 |
| Massachusetts | $67,270 |
| Washington | $66,160 |
| Oregon | $63,820 |
| New Jersey | $63,190 |
| Wyoming | $63,070 |
| Vermont | $62,680 |
| Delaware | $62,650 |
Related jobs in Louisiana
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-4041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a machinist make in Louisiana?
The median salary for machinists in Louisiana is $61,110 a year, or $29.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid machinists make in Louisiana?
The top 10% of machinists in Louisiana earn at least $84,930 a year. The top 25% earn $75,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for machinists in Louisiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,930 a year, and a quarter of machinists earn $49,030 or less.
How many machinists work in Louisiana?
About 4,640 machinists are employed in Louisiana, not counting the self-employed.