Engineering Lafayette, LA Pop. 121,374

Mechanical Engineer Salary in Lafayette, Louisiana

The median mechanical engineer salary in Lafayette, LA is $84,753 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 3.3% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$84,753
vs State Avg
$-2,889
vs National
$-11,557
Cost of Living
88%

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

Lafayette offers a median mechanical engineer salary of $84,753, which is $2,889 below the Louisiana state average of $87,642. Compared to the national median of $96,310, 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 $84,753 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $96,310 in an average-cost city. This makes Lafayette an attractive option for mechanical engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for mechanical engineers in Lafayette spans from $55,792 at the 10th percentile to $128,656 at the 90th percentile — a $72,864 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $57,200, while senior mechanical engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $121,440. With a population of 121,374, Lafayette is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Mechanical Engineer Salary in Lafayette by Experience

In Lafayette, an entry-level mechanical engineer earns around $57,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $121,440 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$57,200
$-7,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$84,480
$-11,520 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$121,440
$-16,560 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lafayette, LA

Percentile Lafayette
10th Percentile $55,792
25th Percentile $69,344
Median (50th) $84,753
75th Percentile $105,248
90th Percentile $128,656

Mechanical Engineer Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$94,384
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$88,605
Pop. 227,470
Lake Charles, LA
$82,827
Pop. 80,000
Shreveport, LA
$81,864
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Mechanical Engineer in Lafayette

Education

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

Key Skills

SolidWorks/CADThermodynamicsFEAManufacturingMaterials SciencePE License

Job Outlook

Nationally, mechanical engineer employment is projected to grow 2% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Lafayette may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Mechanical Engineer Jobs in Lafayette

Browse open mechanical engineer positions in Lafayette, LA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Mechanical Engineer Salary in Lafayette

How much does a Mechanical Engineer make in Lafayette, LA? ▼
The median mechanical engineer salary in Lafayette, Louisiana is $84,753 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $96,310. Salaries range from $55,792 (10th percentile) to $128,656 (90th percentile).
How much does a Mechanical Engineer make per hour in Lafayette? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $84,753, a mechanical engineer in Lafayette earns approximately $41 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lafayette compare to the Louisiana state average for mechanical engineer pay? ▼
Lafayette's median mechanical engineer salary of $84,753 is 3.3% below the Louisiana state average of $87,642. 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 mechanical engineer salary of $84,753 in Lafayette has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a mechanical engineer in Lafayette? ▼
Most mechanical engineer positions in Lafayette require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include SolidWorks/CAD, Thermodynamics, FEA, Manufacturing. The job market is projected to grow 2% nationally over the next decade.