Mechanical Engineer salary in Baton Rouge, LA
Mechanical Engineers in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area earn a median of $135,530 a year ($65.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 540 workers.
Pay ranges from $76,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,960 for the top 10%. That is 30% higher than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 13% higher than the Louisiana statewide median of $119,540. There are 1.3 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.69). The average (mean) salary is $136,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Baton Rouge, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,690 | $36.87 |
| 25th percentile | $106,480 | $51.19 |
| Median | $135,530 | $65.16 |
| 75th percentile | $168,960 | $81.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $195,960 | $94.21 |
| Average (mean) | $136,970 | $65.85 |
Half of mechanical engineers 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 | $11,294.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,647.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,212.69 |
| Weekly | $2,606.35 |
| Hourly | $65.16 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Mechanical Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Charles, LA | $126,090 | 110 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $118,920 | 100 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $117,990 | 530 |
| Monroe, LA | $100,740 | 40 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $100,310 | 110 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $82,900 | 60 |
| Lafayette, LA | $82,520 | 160 |
Highest-paying states for mechanical engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $157,710 |
| District of Columbia | $133,300 |
| California | $130,900 |
| Delaware | $125,130 |
| Colorado | $124,430 |
| Alaska | $124,340 |
| Maryland | $122,870 |
| Louisiana | $119,540 |
| Massachusetts | $119,300 |
| Wyoming | $117,750 |
See Mechanical Engineer pay in every state or the Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baton Rouge, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Engineers, All Other | $101,720 | $48.90 |
| Civil Engineer | $112,430 | $54.06 |
| Industrial Engineer | $129,500 | $62.26 |
| Chemical Engineer | $134,800 | $64.81 |
| Electrical Engineer | $133,030 | $63.96 |
| Environmental Engineer | $138,000 | $66.34 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $125,260 | $60.22 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $83,550 | $40.17 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $132,040 | $63.48 |
| Surveyor | $69,710 | $33.52 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $77,810 | $37.41 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $70,300 | $33.80 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $67,360 | $32.39 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $80,670 | $38.78 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Baton Rouge, LA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2141. 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 mechanical engineer make in Baton Rouge, LA?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area is $135,530 a year, or $65.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $76,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Baton Rouge, LA?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area earn at least $195,960 a year. The top 25% earn $168,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Baton Rouge, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $76,690 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $106,480 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Baton Rouge, LA?
About 540 mechanical engineers are employed in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.