Mechanical Engineer salary in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
Mechanical Engineers in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn a median of $117,990 a year ($56.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 530 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,810 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 1% lower than the Louisiana statewide median of $119,540. There are 1.2 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $121,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,340 | $36.22 |
| 25th percentile | $83,790 | $40.29 |
| Median | $117,990 | $56.73 |
| 75th percentile | $139,860 | $67.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $170,810 | $82.12 |
| Average (mean) | $121,080 | $58.21 |
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 | $9,832.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,916.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,538.08 |
| Weekly | $2,269.04 |
| Hourly | $56.73 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $117,990 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Mechanical Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | $135,530 | 540 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $126,090 | 110 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $118,920 | 100 |
| 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 New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $108,240 | $52.04 |
| Engineers, All Other | $110,970 | $53.35 |
| Industrial Engineer | $127,340 | $61.22 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $148,390 | $71.34 |
| Electrical Engineer | $125,120 | $60.16 |
| Chemical Engineer | $136,870 | $65.80 |
| 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 17-2141. 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 New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area is $117,990 a year, or $56.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn at least $170,810 a year. The top 25% earn $139,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,340 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $83,790 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
About 530 mechanical engineers are employed in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.