Mechanical Engineer Salary in Houma, LA: $85,321 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time mechanical engineer in Houma, LA earns a median $85,321/year (≈ $41.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Once you factor in Houma's price level (15% below national, BEA RPP 85.1), that paycheck buys what $100,256 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 24.2% below the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, mechanical engineers in Houma, Louisiana, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $85,321, which is significantly lower than the national median of $107,150, reflecting a difference of over 20%. Salary for this role ranges from $70,418 at the 10th percentile to $156,613 at the 90th percentile, indicating the varied earning potential within the field. The data derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys reveals that there are currently 60 mechanical engineers working in the Houma area. This local job market is particularly promising for those who achieve their Professional Engineer (PE) license, especially in specialized domains such as HVAC and building systems, which are critical in a region that recently experienced growth in energy sectors.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,418 | $33.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,670 | $38.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,321 | $41.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $128,763 | $61.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $156,613 | $75.30 |
Median Salary Position
20.37% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Houma
In Houma, LA, the mechanical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $86,195 (2026 est.). At $85,321, the local median is 20.37% below the national median of $107,150.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Houma: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Houma Mechanical Engineer Pay Compares
Houma median: $85,321/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Houma Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $112,560 | -24.20% less |
| National Average | $107,150 | -20.37% less |
Mechanical Engineers in Houma, LA earn a median of $85,321 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.37% lower than the national median of $107,150 and 24.20% below the Louisiana state average of $112,560.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Houma has a cost of living 14.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Houma, LA has a cost-of-living index of 85.103 (below the national average of 100). A mechanical engineer earning $85,321 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $100,256 in an average-cost city — an effective 17.5% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$80,260
2025 BLS Actual
$82,900
2026 Current Est.
$85,321
2019–2027 Growth
+9.4%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Houma (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,792 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,885 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,689 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,237 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,510 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,900 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,321 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,812 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Houma metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 3.3% from $80,260 (2019) to $82,900 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,812 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,552 (9.41%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Houma 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 2.92% 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) | $70,418 – $79,670 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,670 – $85,321 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,321 – $128,763 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $128,763 – $156,613 |
ME, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual mechanical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Mechanical Engineer Job Market in Houma
The local engineering market's dynamics reveal significant implications for mechanical engineer pay in Houma, LA. The area’s cost of living index sits at 85.103, suggesting that while salaries here may be lower than the national average, the purchasing power remains relatively favorable. Major employers such as those in the oil & gas sectors and HVAC firms typically offer competitive pay, particularly for engineers with a PE license. High salaries are often found in aerospace and defense, where candidates holding security clearances can command a premium. As the local industries evolve, gaining experience with innovative companies like SpaceX or Tesla can also enhance earning potential due to the equity and performance bonuses that characterize the compensation packages in these high-tech sectors. Therefore, for mechanical engineers looking to maximize their pay in Houma, focusing on industries that demand advanced certifications and specialize in high-demand engineering skills will be essential.
More salary data for Houma, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Amina Patel, PE
Career Analyst
Amina has 10 years of experience in mechanical engineering. She specializes in thermal analysis and works in the automotive industry.
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 $82,900 for mechanical engineersin the Houma metropolitan area. A 2.92% 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, 3-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 2.92%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for mechanical engineers (SOC 17-2141).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, PE, a licensed mechanical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov