Engineering Lafayette, LA Pop. 121,374

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Lafayette, Louisiana

The median aerospace engineer salary in Lafayette, LA is $111,654 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 3.3% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$111,654
vs State Avg
$-3,807
vs National
$-15,226
Cost of Living
88%

Aerospace Engineer Pay in Lafayette: What to Expect (2026)

Lafayette offers a median aerospace engineer salary of $111,654, which is $3,807 below the Louisiana state average of $115,461. Compared to the national median of $126,880, Lafayette pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Lafayette's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $111,654 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $126,880 in an average-cost city. This makes Lafayette an attractive option for aerospace engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for aerospace engineers in Lafayette spans from $68,640 at the 10th percentile to $168,960 at the 90th percentile — a $100,320 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $70,400, while senior aerospace engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $162,800. With a population of 121,374, Lafayette is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Lafayette by Experience

In Lafayette, an entry-level aerospace engineer earns around $70,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $162,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$70,400
$-9,600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$112,640
$-15,360 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$162,800
$-22,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lafayette, LA

Percentile Lafayette
10th Percentile $68,640
25th Percentile $88,000
Median (50th) $111,654
75th Percentile $140,800
90th Percentile $168,960

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$124,342
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$116,730
Pop. 227,470
Lake Charles, LA
$109,117
Pop. 80,000
Shreveport, LA
$107,848
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Aerospace Engineer in Lafayette

Education

Most aerospace engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Lafayette and the surrounding Louisiana area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

AerodynamicsCATIA/CADStructural AnalysisMATLABPropulsion SystemsFEA

Job Outlook

Nationally, aerospace engineer employment is projected to grow 6% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Lafayette may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Aerospace Engineer Jobs in Lafayette

Browse open aerospace engineer positions in Lafayette, LA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Aerospace Engineer Salary in Lafayette

How much does a Aerospace Engineer make in Lafayette, LA? ▼
The median aerospace engineer salary in Lafayette, Louisiana is $111,654 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $126,880. Salaries range from $68,640 (10th percentile) to $168,960 (90th percentile).
How much does a Aerospace Engineer make per hour in Lafayette? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $111,654, a aerospace engineer in Lafayette earns approximately $54 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lafayette compare to the Louisiana state average for aerospace engineer pay? ▼
Lafayette's median aerospace engineer salary of $111,654 is 3.3% below the Louisiana state average of $115,461. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Lafayette, LA? ▼
Lafayette has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a aerospace engineer salary of $111,654 in Lafayette has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a aerospace engineer in Lafayette? ▼
Most aerospace engineer positions in Lafayette require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Aerodynamics, CATIA/CAD, Structural Analysis, MATLAB. The job market is projected to grow 6% nationally over the next decade.