Electrical Engineer Salary in Louisiana: $131,589 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Louisiana's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median electrical engineer pay sits at $131,589/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 17-2071. Because Louisiana sits at BEA RPP 90.3 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $145,724 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Slidell ($167,010), Baton Rouge ($133,030), Lake Charles ($129,940).
In 2026, electrical engineers in Louisiana are projected to earn an average median salary of $131,589, which is 5.2% higher than the national median of $125,033. There's a significant salary gap among cities within the state, with Slidell leading at $173,106, while Lafayette offers the lowest at $102,904, reflecting a difference of $70,202. This disparity can be attributed to varying demand for engineering expertise, local industry concentrations, and cost of living differences. Louisiana has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that must be adhered to by engineers, which can influence salaries and job opportunities. The state's job market for electrical engineers shows an encouraging outlook, with a projected growth rate of 3.65% annually. Key demand drivers include ongoing projects in energy, infrastructure, and technology sectors. Top cities for electrical engineers in 2026, besides Slidell, include Baton Rouge at $137,886, Lake Charles at $134,683, Metairie at $130,158, and New Orleans at $129,687. Understanding these salary trends and factors affecting job growth can help inform career decisions for aspiring electrical engineers in Louisiana.
Louisiana Electrical Engineer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Louisiana: $69,984 (lowest entry-level) to $201,745 (highest top earner)
Louisiana vs National Average
Louisiana electrical engineers earn 5.24% more than the national median (+$6,556/year difference).
Louisiana Electrical Engineer Salary Distribution (2026)
Electrical Engineer salaries in Louisiana range from $80,433 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $187,132 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $131,589. The Louisiana median is $6,556 above the US national median of $125,033. The average hourly rate is $63.27/hr. Approximately 938 electrical engineers are employed across 20 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$101,930
2025 BLS Actual
$126,955
2026 Current Est.
$131,589
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Louisiana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,930 | Actual |
| 2020 | $105,629 | Actual |
| 2021 | $107,926 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,360 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,447 | Actual |
| 2024 | $111,104 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,955 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,589 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,392 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisiana metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 24.6% from $101,930 (2019) to $126,955 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,392 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,462 (33.81%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Louisiana metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.65% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Louisiana
Lowest Paying Cities in Louisiana
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Lafayette | $102,904 |
| Monroe | $105,008 |
| Bossier City | $113,612 |
| Shreveport | $115,445 |
| Thibodaux | $119,346 |
Best Value Cities for Electrical Engineers in Louisiana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Louisiana cities offer the most purchasing power for electrical engineers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slidell | $173,106 | 92.726 | $186,686 |
| Lake Charles | $134,683 | 85.852 | $156,878 |
| Baton Rouge | $137,886 | 90.78 | $151,890 |
| Metairie | $130,158 | 90.3 | $144,140 |
| Kenner | $127,060 | 90.3 | $140,709 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Louisiana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $80,433 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $131,589 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $187,132 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Louisiana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 20 Cities in Louisiana
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Slidell | $173,106 |
| 2 | Baton Rouge | $137,886 |
| 3 | Lake Charles | $134,683 |
| 4 | Metairie | $130,158 |
| 5 | New Orleans | $129,687 |
| 6 | Kenner | $127,060 |
| 7 | Houma | $125,480 |
| 8 | Ruston | $124,710 |
| 9 | Central | $124,583 |
| 10 | Alexandria | $123,959 |
| 11 | New Iberia | $122,852 |
| 12 | Hammond | $121,861 |
| 13 | Natchitoches | $121,189 |
| 14 | Zachary | $120,613 |
| 15 | Sulphur | $119,921 |
| 16 | Thibodaux | $119,346 |
| 17 | Shreveport | $115,445 |
| 18 | Bossier City | $113,612 |
| 19 | Monroe | $105,008 |
| 20 | Lafayette | $102,904 |
More Louisiana Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore electrical engineer hourly pay in Louisiana cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced electrical engineers.
Explore More Electrical Engineer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electrical engineers make in Louisiana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for electrical engineers in Louisiana?
How does Louisiana electrical engineer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level electrical engineer salary in Louisiana?
How many electrical engineers are employed in Louisiana?
Which Louisiana city offers the best value for electrical engineers?
Written by Amina Patel, MEng, PE
Career Analyst
Amina has over 10 years of experience in power systems engineering. She works at a utility company specializing in renewable energy integration.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.65% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 electrical engineer compensation across Louisiana. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 metro areas — larger metro areas with more electrical engineerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.65%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for electrical engineers (SOC 17-2071).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, MEng, PE, a licensed electrical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov