Civil Engineer Salary in New Orleans, LA: $111,087 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in New Orleans, LA earns a median $111,087/year (≈ $53.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in New Orleans's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.6), that paycheck buys what $119,968 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.1% above the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in New Orleans can expect a median annual salary of $111,087, reflecting a competitive edge over the national median salary of $103,492. With a salary range spanning from $71,841 at the 10th percentile to $160,883 at the 90th percentile, civil engineers have potential for significant earnings based on experience, specialization, and licensure status. The data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys indicates that obtaining a Professional Engineer (PE) license can substantially enhance compensation, particularly for those pursuing advanced positions in project management or technical roles. The New Orleans job market for civil engineers is bolstered by ongoing infrastructure projects, which create various opportunities across both public and private sectors.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,841 | $34.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,182 | $39.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $111,087 | $53.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $132,116 | $63.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $160,883 | $77.34 |
Median Salary Position
7.34% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in New Orleans
In New Orleans, LA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $89,042 (2026 est.). At $111,087, the local median is 7.34% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in New Orleans: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How New Orleans Civil Engineer Pay Compares
New Orleans median: $111,087/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | New Orleans Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $101,821 | +9.10% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | +7.34% more |
Civil Engineers in New Orleans, LA earn a median of $111,087 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.34% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 9.10% above the Louisiana state average of $101,821.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
New Orleans has a cost of living 7.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
New Orleans, LA has a cost-of-living index of 92.597 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $111,087 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $119,968 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$99,360
2025 BLS Actual
$108,240
2026 Current Est.
$111,087
2019–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in New Orleans (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,360 | Actual |
| 2020 | $109,970 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,930 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,020 | Actual |
| 2023 | $108,130 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,130 | Actual |
| 2025 | $108,240 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $111,087 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $114,008 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Orleans metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 8.9% from $99,360 (2019) to $108,240 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $114,008 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,648 (14.74%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Orleans 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 2.63% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $71,841 – $83,182 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,182 – $111,087 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $111,087 – $132,116 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $132,116 – $160,883 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in New Orleans
The local job market is vibrant, with approximately 1,070 civil engineers currently employed in the area, allowing for considerable competition among firms. The cost of living index in New Orleans sits at 92.597, indicating a favorable environment for professionals seeking to maximize their take-home purchasing power. Employers such as AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP pay particularly well, often offering higher salaries for specialized roles in structural, geotechnical, or transportation engineering. The disparity in civil engineer pay in New Orleans can be attributed to factors such as the experience level, PE licensure, firm size, and project management responsibilities. To enhance earnings potential, engineers might consider pursuing licensure, targeting positions within top-tier firms, or focusing on high-demand specialty areas due to the recent surge in infrastructure funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which is expected to impact the industry positively for years to come.
More salary data for New Orleans, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Chen, P.E.
Career Analyst
Jordan Chen has 10 years of experience in structural engineering. He works primarily in urban infrastructure projects.
Methodology & Data Source
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $108,240 for civil engineersin the New Orleans metropolitan area. A 2.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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 2.63%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for civil engineers (SOC 17-2051).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Chen, P.E., a licensed civil engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov