SOC 17-2141 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mechanical Engineers — Louisiana
Louisiana · 8 metro areas compared
In Louisiana the median wage for Mechanical Engineers is $119,540 a year, which is 14.8% higher than the national figure of $104,110.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Louisiana the median wage for Mechanical Engineers is $119,540 a year, which is 14.8% higher than the national figure of $104,110. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $81,790 and $147,560. The lowest tenth earn under $70,350, while the highest tenth earn more than $181,550.
The area has 1,890 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.0 of every thousand jobs. Louisiana ranks number 8th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Baton Rouge records the highest median at $135,530. Of the 679 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 41st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $70,350 | −32.4% |
| 25th | $81,790 | −21.4% |
| Median (50th) | $119,540 | +14.8% |
| 75th | $147,560 | +41.7% |
| 90th | $181,550 | +74.4% |
| Mean | $120,520 | +15.8% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Louisiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baton Rouge | $135,530 | 540 | |
| 2 | Lake Charles | $126,090 | 110 | |
| 3 | Slidell | $118,920 | 100 | |
| 4 | New Orleans | $117,990 | 530 | |
| 5 | Monroe | $100,740 | 40 | |
| 6 | Shreveport | $100,310 | 110 | |
| 7 | Houma | $82,900 | 60 | |
| 8 | Lafayette | $82,520 | 160 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Louisiana run 11.8% below the national average, so the median of $119,540 goes as far as $135,533 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 30.2% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$119,540as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$135,533US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $119,540 a year, 14.8% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $70,350 to $181,550 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,890 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 8th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Baton Rouge, at $135,530.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Mechanical Engineers in Louisiana?
The median annual wage is $119,540, or $57.47 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $104,110, so pay in Louisiana is 14.8% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Louisiana earns more than $181,550 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $70,350 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Baton Rouge, at $135,530 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,890 jobs in this occupation in Louisiana. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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