Chemical Engineer salary in Louisiana
Chemical Engineers in Louisiana earn a median of $134,800 a year ($64.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 730 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $177,790 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $125,040. Louisiana ranks 4th of 41 states for chemical engineers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.38 chemical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $135,190, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical engineers in Louisiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,500 | $36.30 |
| 25th percentile | $105,860 | $50.89 |
| Median | $134,800 | $64.81 |
| 75th percentile | $164,800 | $79.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $177,790 | $85.48 |
| Average (mean) | $135,190 | $65.00 |
Half of chemical 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 | $11,233.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,616.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,184.62 |
| Weekly | $2,592.31 |
| Hourly | $64.81 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $134,800 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Chemical Engineer salary in cities in Louisiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $136,870 | 190 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $136,810 | 100 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $134,800 | 360 |
Highest-paying states for chemical engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $158,190 |
| Virginia | $136,380 |
| Alabama | $135,030 |
| Louisiana | $134,800 |
| Delaware | $133,670 |
| Texas | $132,750 |
| West Virginia | $129,210 |
| New York | $129,060 |
| Washington | $128,290 |
| Oklahoma | $127,790 |
Related jobs in Louisiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Engineers, All Other | $99,070 | $47.63 |
| Civil Engineer | $105,380 | $50.66 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $119,540 | $57.47 |
| Industrial Engineer | $122,920 | $59.09 |
| Electrical Engineer | $123,710 | $59.48 |
| 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 17-2041. 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 chemical engineer make in Louisiana?
The median salary for chemical engineers in Louisiana is $134,800 a year, or $64.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $177,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical engineers make in Louisiana?
The top 10% of chemical engineers in Louisiana earn at least $177,790 a year. The top 25% earn $164,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical engineers in Louisiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,500 a year, and a quarter of chemical engineers earn $105,860 or less.
How many chemical engineers work in Louisiana?
About 730 chemical engineers are employed in Louisiana, not counting the self-employed.