Chemical Engineer salary in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
Chemical Engineers in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn a median of $136,870 a year ($65.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $90,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $178,670 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $125,040. Pay here is 2% higher than the Louisiana statewide median of $134,800. There are 0.42 chemical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $137,320, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical engineers in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $90,620 | $43.57 |
| 25th percentile | $106,140 | $51.03 |
| Median | $136,870 | $65.80 |
| 75th percentile | $164,440 | $79.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $178,670 | $85.90 |
| Average (mean) | $137,320 | $66.02 |
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 | $11,405.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,702.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,264.23 |
| Weekly | $2,632.12 |
| Hourly | $65.80 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $136,870 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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
See Chemical Engineer pay in every state or the Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $108,240 | $52.04 |
| Engineers, All Other | $110,970 | $53.35 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $117,990 | $56.73 |
| Industrial Engineer | $127,340 | $61.22 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $148,390 | $71.34 |
| Electrical Engineer | $125,120 | $60.16 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $120,580 | $57.97 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $99,990 | $48.07 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $149,430 | $71.84 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $97,950 | $47.09 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $62,430 | $30.01 |
| Surveyor | $79,230 | $38.09 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $62,570 | $30.08 |
| Drafters, All Other | $65,870 | $31.67 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
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 New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The median salary for chemical engineers in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area is $136,870 a year, or $65.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $90,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $178,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical engineers make in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The top 10% of chemical engineers in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn at least $178,670 a year. The top 25% earn $164,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical engineers in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $90,620 a year, and a quarter of chemical engineers earn $106,140 or less.
How many chemical engineers work in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
About 190 chemical engineers are employed in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.