Chemical Engineers Salary in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
Chemical Engineers in New Orleans-Metairie, LA make a median of $133,070 a year, or about $63.97 an hour. The range runs from $101K at the entry level to $175K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.6), which stretches that salary to about $143,704 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,331/month, or 16.5% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $133K get you in New Orleans-Metairie?
About chemical engineers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, New Orleans-Metairie, LA
Entry-level chemical engineers (10th percentile) start around $101K. Mid-career wages sit at $133K.Top earners bring in $175K or more - a $73K spread from bottom to top.
Chemical Engineers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | $161K | +32% | 190 |
| New Mexico | $147K | +21% | 80 |
| West Virginia | $140K | +15% | 210 |
| Texas | $135K | +11% | 2,780 |
| Virginia | $133K | +9% | 1,020 |
| New York | $132K | +9% | 560 |
| Delaware | $131K | +8% | 390 |
| Louisiana | $131K | +8% | 780 |
| Washington | $131K | +7% | 600 |
| Maryland | $130K | +6% | 560 |
| North Dakota | $128K | +5% | 60 |
| Arizona | $125K | +3% | 170 |
| Illinois | $120K | -1% | 490 |
| Massachusetts | $119K | -2% | 1,140 |
| New Jersey | $118K | -3% | 480 |
Track chemical engineers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when New Orleans-Metairie numbers change.
Related careers in Engineering
Frequently asked questions
How much do chemical engineers make in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The median is $133,070 a year - that works out to about $63.97 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $101,300, and experienced chemical engineers can clear $174,740. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $133K enough to live in New Orleans-Metairie?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,053/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,331/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 16.5% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a chemical engineers salary go in New Orleans-Metairie?
New Orleans-Metairie has a Regional Price Parity of 92.6 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median chemical engineers salary is worth about $143,704 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do chemical engineers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.