Engineering New Orleans, LA Pop. 383,997

Chemical Engineer Salary in New Orleans, Louisiana

The median chemical engineer salary in New Orleans, LA is $104,135 per year, which is 2% below the national median and 7.7% above the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$104,135
vs State Avg
+$7,438
vs National
$-2,125
Cost of Living
98%

Chemical Engineer Pay in New Orleans: What to Expect (2026)

New Orleans offers a median chemical engineer salary of $104,135, which is $7,438 above the Louisiana state average of $96,697. Compared to the national median of $106,260, New Orleans pays below the national benchmark for this role.

New Orleans's cost of living is 98% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for chemical engineers in New Orleans spans from $66,640 at the 10th percentile to $168,560 at the 90th percentile — a $101,920 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $68,600, while senior chemical engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $158,760. With a population of 383,997, New Orleans is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Chemical Engineer Salary in New Orleans by Experience

In New Orleans, an entry-level chemical engineer earns around $68,600, while experienced professionals earn up to $158,760 per year. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$68,600
$-1,400 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$105,840
$-2,160 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$158,760
$-3,240 vs national

Salary Percentiles in New Orleans, LA

Percentile New Orleans
10th Percentile $66,640
25th Percentile $82,320
Median (50th) $104,135
75th Percentile $135,240
90th Percentile $168,560

Chemical Engineer Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

Baton Rouge, LA
$97,759
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$93,509
Pop. 121,374
Lake Charles, LA
$91,384
Pop. 80,000
Shreveport, LA
$90,321
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Chemical Engineer in New Orleans

Education

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

Key Skills

Process EngineeringChemical ProcessesASPENSafety EngineeringQuality ControlThermodynamics

Job Outlook

Nationally, chemical engineer employment is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in New Orleans may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Chemical Engineer Jobs in New Orleans

Browse open chemical engineer positions in New Orleans, LA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Chemical Engineer Salary in New Orleans

How much does a Chemical Engineer make in New Orleans, LA? ▼
The median chemical engineer salary in New Orleans, Louisiana is $104,135 per year, which is 2% below the national median of $106,260. Salaries range from $66,640 (10th percentile) to $168,560 (90th percentile).
How much does a Chemical Engineer make per hour in New Orleans? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $104,135, a chemical engineer in New Orleans earns approximately $50 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does New Orleans compare to the Louisiana state average for chemical engineer pay? ▼
New Orleans's median chemical engineer salary of $104,135 is 7.7% above the Louisiana state average of $96,697. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in New Orleans, LA? ▼
New Orleans has a cost of living index of 98% compared to the national average. This means a chemical engineer salary of $104,135 in New Orleans has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a chemical engineer in New Orleans? ▼
Most chemical engineer positions in New Orleans require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Process Engineering, Chemical Processes, ASPEN, Safety Engineering. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.