Mechanical Engineer salary in Louisiana
Mechanical Engineers in Louisiana earn a median of $119,540 a year ($57.47 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,890 workers.
Pay ranges from $70,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $181,550 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $104,110. Louisiana ranks 8th of 51 states for mechanical engineers pay. There are 0.98 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.51). The average (mean) salary is $120,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Louisiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $70,350 | $33.82 |
| 25th percentile | $81,790 | $39.32 |
| Median | $119,540 | $57.47 |
| 75th percentile | $147,560 | $70.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $181,550 | $87.28 |
| Average (mean) | $120,520 | $57.94 |
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 | $9,961.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,980.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,597.69 |
| Weekly | $2,298.85 |
| Hourly | $57.47 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Mechanical Engineer salary in cities in Louisiana
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Louisiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Engineers, All Other | $99,070 | $47.63 |
| Civil Engineer | $105,380 | $50.66 |
| Industrial Engineer | $122,920 | $59.09 |
| Electrical Engineer | $123,710 | $59.48 |
| Chemical Engineer | $134,800 | $64.81 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $139,640 | $67.13 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $100,390 | $48.26 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $118,490 | $56.97 |
| Environmental Engineer | $130,510 | $62.74 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $83,550 | $40.17 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $136,970 | $65.85 |
| Materials Engineer | $128,670 | $61.86 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $84,320 | $40.54 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $58,960 | $28.35 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Louisiana
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 Louisiana?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in Louisiana is $119,540 a year, or $57.47 an hour. Pay ranges from $70,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $181,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Louisiana?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in Louisiana earn at least $181,550 a year. The top 25% earn $147,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Louisiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $70,350 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $81,790 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Louisiana?
About 1,890 mechanical engineers are employed in Louisiana, not counting the self-employed.