Technology Lafayette, LA Pop. 121,374

Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Lafayette, Louisiana

The median machine learning engineer salary in Lafayette, LA is $111,720 per year, which is 16% below the national median and 3.4% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$111,720
vs State Avg
$-3,990
vs National
$-21,280
Cost of Living
88%

Machine Learning Engineer Pay in Lafayette: What to Expect (2026)

Lafayette offers a median machine learning engineer salary of $111,720, which is $3,990 below the Louisiana state average of $115,710. Compared to the national median of $133,000, 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 $111,720 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $126,955 in an average-cost city. This makes Lafayette an attractive option for machine learning engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for machine learning engineers in Lafayette spans from $68,880 at the 10th percentile to $172,200 at the 90th percentile — a $103,320 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $73,920, while senior machine learning engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $161,280. With a population of 121,374, Lafayette is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Lafayette by Experience

In Lafayette, an entry-level machine learning engineer earns around $73,920, while experienced professionals earn up to $161,280 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$73,920
$-14,080 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$113,400
$-21,600 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$161,280
$-30,720 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lafayette, LA

Percentile Lafayette
10th Percentile $68,880
25th Percentile $90,720
Median (50th) $111,720
75th Percentile $141,120
90th Percentile $172,200

Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$125,020
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$117,040
Pop. 227,470
Lake Charles, LA
$109,060
Pop. 80,000
Shreveport, LA
$107,730
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Machine Learning Engineer in Lafayette

Education

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

Key Skills

PythonTensorFlow/PyTorchMLOpsStatisticsDeep LearningData Engineering

Job Outlook

Nationally, machine learning engineer employment is projected to grow 40% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Lafayette may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Machine Learning Engineer Jobs in Lafayette

Browse open machine learning engineer positions in Lafayette, LA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Lafayette

How much does a Machine Learning Engineer make in Lafayette, LA? ▼
The median machine learning engineer salary in Lafayette, Louisiana is $111,720 per year, which is 16% below the national median of $133,000. Salaries range from $68,880 (10th percentile) to $172,200 (90th percentile).
How much does a Machine Learning Engineer make per hour in Lafayette? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $111,720, a machine learning 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 machine learning engineer pay? ▼
Lafayette's median machine learning engineer salary of $111,720 is 3.4% below the Louisiana state average of $115,710. 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 machine learning engineer salary of $111,720 in Lafayette has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a machine learning engineer in Lafayette? ▼
Most machine learning engineer positions in Lafayette require a master's degree. Key skills include Python, TensorFlow/PyTorch, MLOps, Statistics. The job market is projected to grow 40% nationally over the next decade.