Mechanical Engineer salary in Lake Charles, LA
Mechanical Engineers in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn a median of $126,090 a year ($60.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $201,710 for the top 10%. That is 21% higher than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 5% higher than the Louisiana statewide median of $119,540. There are 1.1 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.59). The average (mean) salary is $128,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Lake Charles, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,510 | $36.30 |
| 25th percentile | $85,190 | $40.96 |
| Median | $126,090 | $60.62 |
| 75th percentile | $163,280 | $78.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $201,710 | $96.98 |
| Average (mean) | $128,660 | $61.86 |
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 | $10,507.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,253.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,849.62 |
| Weekly | $2,424.81 |
| Hourly | $60.62 |
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 |
| 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 Lake Charles, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Engineers, All Other | $94,810 | $45.58 |
| Industrial Engineer | $129,260 | $62.14 |
| Civil Engineer | $97,490 | $46.87 |
| Chemical Engineer | $136,810 | $65.77 |
| Electrical Engineer | $129,940 | $62.47 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $125,670 | $60.42 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $63,840 | $30.69 |
| Drafters, All Other | $71,690 | $34.46 |
| Surveyor | $64,520 | $31.02 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $79,540 | $38.24 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $97,740 | $46.99 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Lake Charles, 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 Lake Charles, LA?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Lake Charles, LA metro area is $126,090 a year, or $60.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $201,710 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Lake Charles, LA?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn at least $201,710 a year. The top 25% earn $163,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Lake Charles, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,510 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $85,190 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Lake Charles, LA?
About 110 mechanical engineers are employed in the Lake Charles, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.