Engineering New Orleans, LA Pop. 383,997

Civil Engineer Salary in New Orleans, Louisiana

The median civil engineer salary in New Orleans, LA is $88,141 per year, which is 2% below the national median and 7.7% above the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$88,141
vs State Avg
+$6,296
vs National
$-1,799
Cost of Living
98%

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

New Orleans offers a median civil engineer salary of $88,141, which is $6,296 above the Louisiana state average of $81,845. Compared to the national median of $89,940, 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 civil engineers in New Orleans spans from $59,192 at the 10th percentile to $135,828 at the 90th percentile — a $76,636 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $60,760, while senior civil engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $127,400. With a population of 383,997, New Orleans is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Civil Engineer Salary in New Orleans by Experience

In New Orleans, an entry-level civil engineer earns around $60,760, while experienced professionals earn up to $127,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$60,760
$-1,240 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$88,200
$-1,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$127,400
$-2,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in New Orleans, LA

Percentile New Orleans
10th Percentile $59,192
25th Percentile $71,736
Median (50th) $88,141
75th Percentile $111,720
90th Percentile $135,828

Civil Engineer Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

Baton Rouge, LA
$82,745
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$79,147
Pop. 121,374
Lake Charles, LA
$77,348
Pop. 80,000
Shreveport, LA
$76,449
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Civil Engineer in New Orleans

Education

Most civil engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. New Orleans 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 New Orleans may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Civil Engineer Jobs in New Orleans

Browse open civil engineer positions in New Orleans, LA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Civil Engineer Salary in New Orleans

How much does a Civil Engineer make in New Orleans, LA? ▼
The median civil engineer salary in New Orleans, Louisiana is $88,141 per year, which is 2% below the national median of $89,940. Salaries range from $59,192 (10th percentile) to $135,828 (90th percentile).
How much does a Civil Engineer make per hour in New Orleans? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $88,141, a civil engineer in New Orleans earns approximately $42 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does New Orleans compare to the Louisiana state average for civil engineer pay? ▼
New Orleans's median civil engineer salary of $88,141 is 7.7% above the Louisiana state average of $81,845. 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 civil engineer salary of $88,141 in New Orleans has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a civil engineer in New Orleans? ▼
Most civil engineer positions in New Orleans 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.