Engineering Lafayette, LA Pop. 121,374

Civil Engineer Salary in Lafayette, Louisiana

The median civil engineer salary in Lafayette, LA is $79,147 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 3.3% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$79,147
vs State Avg
$-2,698
vs National
$-10,793
Cost of Living
88%

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

Lafayette offers a median civil engineer salary of $79,147, which is $2,698 below the Louisiana state average of $81,845. Compared to the national median of $89,940, 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 $79,147 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $89,940 in an average-cost city. This makes Lafayette an attractive option for civil engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for civil engineers in Lafayette spans from $53,152 at the 10th percentile to $121,968 at the 90th percentile — a $68,816 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $54,560, while senior civil engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $114,400. With a population of 121,374, Lafayette is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Civil Engineer Salary in Lafayette by Experience

In Lafayette, an entry-level civil engineer earns around $54,560, while experienced professionals earn up to $114,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$54,560
$-7,440 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$79,200
$-10,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$114,400
$-15,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lafayette, LA

Percentile Lafayette
10th Percentile $53,152
25th Percentile $64,416
Median (50th) $79,147
75th Percentile $100,320
90th Percentile $121,968

Civil Engineer Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$88,141
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$82,745
Pop. 227,470
Lake Charles, LA
$77,348
Pop. 80,000
Shreveport, LA
$76,449
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Civil Engineer in Lafayette

Education

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

Key Skills

AutoCADStructural AnalysisProject ManagementGISConstruction ManagementPE License

Job Outlook

Nationally, civil engineer employment is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Lafayette may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Civil Engineer Jobs in Lafayette

Browse open civil engineer positions in Lafayette, LA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Civil Engineer Salary in Lafayette

How much does a Civil Engineer make in Lafayette, LA? ▼
The median civil engineer salary in Lafayette, Louisiana is $79,147 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $89,940. Salaries range from $53,152 (10th percentile) to $121,968 (90th percentile).
How much does a Civil Engineer make per hour in Lafayette? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $79,147, a civil engineer in Lafayette earns approximately $38 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lafayette compare to the Louisiana state average for civil engineer pay? ▼
Lafayette's median civil engineer salary of $79,147 is 3.3% below the Louisiana state average of $81,845. 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 civil engineer salary of $79,147 in Lafayette has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a civil engineer in Lafayette? ▼
Most civil engineer positions in Lafayette require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include AutoCAD, Structural Analysis, Project Management, GIS. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.