Trades & Labor Lafayette, LA Pop. 121,374

Machinist Salary in Lafayette, Louisiana

The median machinist salary in Lafayette, LA is $45,449 per year, which is 7% below the national median and 3.1% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$45,449
vs State Avg
$-1,466
vs National
$-3,421
Cost of Living
88%

Machinist Pay in Lafayette: What to Expect (2026)

Lafayette offers a median machinist salary of $45,449, which is $1,466 below the Louisiana state average of $46,915. Compared to the national median of $48,870, 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 $45,449 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $51,647 in an average-cost city. This makes Lafayette an attractive option for machinists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for machinists in Lafayette spans from $29,760 at the 10th percentile to $68,820 at the 90th percentile — a $39,060 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $31,620, while senior machinists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $66,960. With a population of 121,374, Lafayette is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Machinist Salary in Lafayette by Experience

In Lafayette, an entry-level machinist earns around $31,620, while experienced professionals earn up to $66,960 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$31,620
$-2,380 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$46,500
$-3,500 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$66,960
$-5,040 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lafayette, LA

Percentile Lafayette
10th Percentile $29,760
25th Percentile $36,270
Median (50th) $45,449
75th Percentile $56,730
90th Percentile $68,820

Machinist Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$50,336
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$47,404
Pop. 227,470
Lake Charles, LA
$44,472
Pop. 80,000
Shreveport, LA
$43,983
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Machinist in Lafayette

Education

Most machinist positions require a high school diploma. Lafayette and the surrounding Louisiana area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

CNC ProgrammingBlueprint ReadingPrecision MeasurementMetalworkingCAD/CAMQuality Control

Job Outlook

Nationally, machinist employment is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Lafayette may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Machinist Jobs in Lafayette

Browse open machinist positions in Lafayette, LA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Machinist Salary in Lafayette

How much does a Machinist make in Lafayette, LA? ▼
The median machinist salary in Lafayette, Louisiana is $45,449 per year, which is 7% below the national median of $48,870. Salaries range from $29,760 (10th percentile) to $68,820 (90th percentile).
How much does a Machinist make per hour in Lafayette? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $45,449, a machinist in Lafayette earns approximately $22 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lafayette compare to the Louisiana state average for machinist pay? ▼
Lafayette's median machinist salary of $45,449 is 3.1% below the Louisiana state average of $46,915. 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 machinist salary of $45,449 in Lafayette has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a machinist in Lafayette? ▼
Most machinist positions in Lafayette require a high school diploma. Key skills include CNC Programming, Blueprint Reading, Precision Measurement, Metalworking. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.