Mechanical Engineer salary in Lafayette, LA
Mechanical Engineers in the Lafayette, LA metro area earn a median of $82,520 a year ($39.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $141,500 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 31% lower than the Louisiana statewide median of $119,540. There are 0.88 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.46). The average (mean) salary is $98,750, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Lafayette, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,610 | $29.62 |
| 25th percentile | $76,660 | $36.86 |
| Median | $82,520 | $39.67 |
| 75th percentile | $124,580 | $59.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $141,500 | $68.03 |
| Average (mean) | $98,750 | $47.48 |
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 | $6,876.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,438.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,173.85 |
| Weekly | $1,586.92 |
| Hourly | $39.67 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | $135,530 | 540 |
| 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 |
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 Lafayette, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Engineers, All Other | $80,650 | $38.77 |
| Civil Engineer | $97,410 | $46.83 |
| Industrial Engineer | $117,120 | $56.31 |
| Electrical Engineer | $99,280 | $47.73 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $95,560 | $45.94 |
| Surveyor | $49,820 | $23.95 |
| Drafters, All Other | $60,270 | $28.98 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $66,050 | $31.76 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $44,440 | $21.37 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $73,160 | $35.17 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $49,990 | $24.03 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $72,320 | $34.77 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $61,240 | $29.44 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $65,150 | $31.32 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Lafayette, 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 Lafayette, LA?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Lafayette, LA metro area is $82,520 a year, or $39.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $141,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Lafayette, LA?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Lafayette, LA metro area earn at least $141,500 a year. The top 25% earn $124,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Lafayette, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,610 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $76,660 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Lafayette, LA?
About 160 mechanical engineers are employed in the Lafayette, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.