Are you ready for some good news? If you’re considering civil engineer jobs in Louisiana or already working in the field, we’ve got data that might surprise you.
We’ve conducted a comprehensive analysis of civil engineering salaries across Louisiana to provide you with the most current insights into compensation trends for 2025. This article explores the civil engineer salary in Louisiana, examining everything from entry-level pay to senior civil engineer compensation.
Average Civil Engineer Salary in Louisiana
Here’s where it gets interesting: The median civil engineer salary in Louisiana stands at $115,000 per year or $55.29 per hour, substantially higher than the national average of $78,230 to $104,027. This represents a remarkable opportunity for civil engineering professionals in a state often overlooked by talent seeking coastal tech hubs.
Salary Range Overview
Factors Influencing Civil Engineer Salaries
Educational Level
Here’s a surprising insight: while a master’s degree commands a modest 5% salary premium, the real differentiator in Louisiana isn’t advanced degrees—it’s experience and specialised skills. This suggests that civil engineers can maximise their earning potential through strategic career moves rather than necessarily returning to school.
Remote Work Status
The civil engineering field in Louisiana remains predominantly on-site, reflecting the hands-on nature of infrastructure and construction work:
| Work Status | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Number of Positions |
|---|---|---|
| Onsite | $105,930 | 250 |
| Remote | $120,000 | 3 |
| Hybrid | $144,129 | 62 |
The data reveals an interesting pattern: hybrid positions offer the highest compensation, averaging 36% more than purely onsite roles. This suggests that firms offering flexibility are willing to pay a premium to attract top talent—a trend worth noting for those negotiating their next position.
Years of Experience
The most significant salary jump occurs between years 4 and 5, where compensation increases by over 30%. This suggests that the 5-year mark represents a critical threshold where civil engineers transition from learning to leading, commanding significantly higher wages and potentially moving into senior civil engineer roles.
| Years of Experience | Percentage of Jobs | Number of Positions |
|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 12.38% | 25 |
| 1 year | 2.97% | 6 |
| 2 years | 13.37% | 27 |
| 3 years | 11.39% | 23 |
| 4 years | 10.89% | 22 |
| 5 years | 27.23% | 55 |
| 6 years | 6.44% | 13 |
| 8 years | 6.93% | 14 |
| 12 years | 2.48% | 5 |
| 15 years | 4.95% | 10 |
| 20 years | 0.99% | 2 |
Seniority Level
The progression from entry-level to principal represents a 146% increase in compensation. Interestingly, the jump from mid-level to senior civil engineer (24%) is more substantial than from senior to manager (4%), suggesting that technical expertise is valued as highly as management responsibilities in Louisiana’s market. The role of chief civil engineer often represents the pinnacle of this career path.
Location
| City | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Average Hourly Rate (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Lafayette | $182,372 | $87.68 |
| Luling | $165,894 | $79.76 |
| Houma | $160,000 | $76.92 |
| Pineville | $137,500 | $66.11 |
| Port Vincent | $126,429 | $60.78 |
| Baton Rouge | $117,137 | $56.32 |
| New Orleans | $113,071 | $54.36 |
| Metairie | $105,472 | $50.71 |
Lafayette leads the pack with salaries 58% above the state median. Why? The city sits at the heart of Louisiana’s energy corridor, where oil and gas infrastructure projects demand specialized engineering expertise. A $10 billion LNG export terminal project slated for construction approval in July 2025 exemplifies the type of mega-projects driving these premium salaries.
Surprisingly, New Orleans—despite being the state’s largest city—ranks seventh. This illustrates an important career strategy: following the projects, not just the population centers, often leads to better compensation.
Top Paying Companies in Louisiana
| Company | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Average Hourly Rate (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Rose International | $175,760 | $84.50 |
| Akkodis | $171,600 | $82.50 |
| Dexian | $170,560 | $82.00 |
| Planet Pharma | $160,867 | $77.34 |
| Alliance of Professionals & Consultants (APC) | $155,000 | $74.52 |
| APTIM | $155,000 | $74.52 |
| Jacobs | $146,125 | $70.25 |
| Randstad USA | $144,976 | $69.70 |
| Olsson | $143,000 | $68.75 |
| Crest Industries | $137,500 | $66.11 |
| AECOM | $130,733 | $62.85 |
| HDR | $127,791 | $61.44 |
| Stanley Consultants | $126,450 | $60.79 |
| CyberCoders | $122,500 | $58.90 |
| Arcadis | $122,454 | $58.87 |
The data reveals a fascinating pattern among Louisiana’s top-paying employers. Staffing and consulting firms like Rose International, Akkodis, and Dexian dominate the top tier, offering salaries 35-50% above the state median. Why? These firms typically place engineers on high-stakes industrial projects where clients are willing to pay premium rates for specialized expertise in areas like building construction and sewage systems.
Traditional engineering giants like AECOM, HDR, and Jacobs offer competitive but more moderate salaries. However, these firms often provide something the data doesn’t capture: stability, comprehensive benefits, and clear career progression paths from entry-level to senior civil engineer and even chief civil engineer roles. The choice between a staffing firm’s higher salary and a traditional firm’s stability represents a classic career decision point.
With industrial projects offering average salaries of $135,955, it’s clear that Louisiana’s petrochemical and LNG sectors are driving the high-end salary market. Civil engineers willing to work on these industrial megaprojects can command top dollar, especially through specialized staffing firms.
Maximising Your Civil Engineer Salary Potential
Based on our comprehensive analysis of civil engineering salaries, here’s your roadmap to maximizing compensation:
For Early Career Engineers (0-5 years):
- Focus on reaching that critical 5-year experience mark where salaries jump 30%
- Consider contract work through staffing firms to accelerate salary growth
- Target industrial projects in Lafayette or Lake Charles for premium pay
For Mid-Career Professionals (5-10 years):
- Develop expertise in LNG, petrochemical, or coastal engineering
- Consider hybrid work arrangements that command 36% salary premiums
For Senior Engineers (10+ years):
- Principal-level and chief civil engineer positions offer the highest compensation ceiling
- Specialized consulting roles can exceed $165,000 annually
- Leadership skills become as valuable as technical expertise
Key Skills to Develop
- Technical: AutoCAD Civil 3D, drainage design, coastal engineering
- Industry-Specific: LNG facility design, petrochemical infrastructure, flood mitigation
- Certifications: Professional Engineer (PE) license remains crucial
Explore our article detailing the most required Civil Engineering Skills in 2025
Addressing Your Concerns
“But what about job security with all these contract positions?” Louisiana’s project pipeline extends through 2031, with billions in committed funding for building construction, transportation, and sewage systems. The risk isn’t job loss—it’s missing out on this historic opportunity.
“I don’t have petrochemical experience…” Neither do many engineers being hired. With record demand, companies expect to hire from outside traditional talent pools. Your willingness to learn matters more than prior industry experience.
“The cost of living must offset these salaries…” Actually, no. Louisiana’s cost of living remains 8-12% below the national average, making these premium salaries go even further.
The Louisiana Advantage: Why Civil Engineers Earn More Here
You might be wondering: why are Louisiana civil engineers out-earning their peers nationally? The answer lies in the state’s unprecedented construction boom. Major projects including a $10 billion Meta data center, a $3.24 billion methanol facility at Lake Charles, a $1.35 billion biofuels plant, and a $1 billion Bunge expansion are creating intense competition for engineering talent.
The Louisiana Legislature approved over $1.11 billion in highway construction projects for 2025-2026 alone. This infrastructure investment, combined with industrial expansion in building construction and sewage systems, has created a perfect storm of opportunity for civil engineers and related professionals like structural engineers.
The Infrastructure Boom Continues
Despite concerns about federal infrastructure funding freezes under the new administration, Louisiana’s project pipeline remains robust due to private sector investment. The state’s unique position as an energy hub, combined with ongoing coastal restoration needs, creates a recession-resistant job market for civil engineers, structural engineers, and transportation engineers alike.
Conclusion
Louisiana’s civil engineering market presents a remarkable opportunity rarely seen in the profession. With civil engineering salaries exceeding national averages by 40% or more, a robust project pipeline, and growing demand for talent, the state offers civil engineers a chance to accelerate both their careers and earnings.
The data tells a clear story: Louisiana isn’t just building infrastructure—it’s building careers. Whether you’re a recent graduate eyeing that $67,000 entry-level salary or a seasoned professional targeting $165,000+ principal positions, the opportunities are real and growing.
The question isn’t whether Louisiana offers competitive civil engineer salaries—our data proves it does. The question is: are you ready to seize this opportunity?
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