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2026 Salary Data — New Orleans, LA
Updated April 28, 2026

Civil Engineer Salary in New Orleans: $88K Median

Civil Engineers in New Orleans, LA earn between $60K and $133K per year.

That's -8% below the US national median of $95,890 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Civil Engineer salary in New Orleans, LA is $88,219 per year — -8% below the US national median of $95,890. Salaries range from $59,800 (entry, 25th percentile) to $133,041 (90th percentile). Civil Engineers in New Orleans earned approximately $15,477 in 2025, representing 470.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$88,219
+470.0% YoY · $7,352/mo
Entry
$59,800
0–2 years
Experienced
$115,000
5+ years
Top 10%
$133,041
Senior/lead
Civil Engineer Salary — New Orleans vs Nearby
New Orleans
$88K
Houston
$101K
-12% vs New Orleans
Milwaukee
$91K
-3% vs New Orleans
Jacksonville
$88K
+0% vs New Orleans

Free ATS scan · New Orleans employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Civil Engineers in New Orleans

Civil engineers design, build, and maintain infrastructure projects: roads, bridges, buildings, water systems, and more.

Core Responsibilities

  • Design infrastructure
  • Project management
  • Site inspection
  • Construction documents
  • Code compliance

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Bachelor's degree (ABET); PE for senior roles

In-demand certifications

PE (Professional Engineer)LEEDPMPOSHA 30

New Orleans Job Market

Major tourism and port city with strong cultural identity.

Population
376K
Cost of Living
96
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
5%
Median Home
$285K

Top Industries in New Orleans

TourismEnergyHealthcareLogistics (Port)Education

Top Employers Hiring Civil Engineers

Major employers active in New Orleans or hiring remotely from this metro.

AECOM
Bechtel
Jacobs
Kiewit
Skanska
state DOTs
municipal governments

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Civil Engineer listings.

BIM (Revit)Sustainability/LEEDClimate-resilient designSmart citiesDrone surveying

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

AutoCADCivil 3Dproject managementstructural analysisPE licenseLEEDRevitsite planning
Career Outlook
+6% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Civil engineering growing 6% with $1.2T US infrastructure investment driving demand through 2034.

Civil Engineer Salary Breakdown — New Orleans

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$59,800$88,219$133,041
Monthly$4,983$7,352$11,087
Weekly$1,150$1,697$2,558
Hourly$29$42$64

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($95,890) adjusted for New Orleans's cost-of-living multiplier (0.92×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Civil Engineer Take-Home Pay in New Orleans

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$67,713.497
Per month$5,643
Biweekly paycheck$2,604
Effective tax rate23.2%

Tax Breakdown on $88,219

Gross salary$88,219
Federal income tax−$11,110.18
Louisiana state tax−$2,646.57
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$6,748.754
Take-home (net)$67,713.497

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Civil Engineer Salary by Experience — New Orleans

Career-stage progression for Civil Engineers in New Orleans.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$55,016
2–3 yr$59,800
4–6 yr$87,400
7–10 yr$115,000
11–15 yr$135,700
15+ yr$124,021

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for New Orleans's 0.92× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+470.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$15,477
2026 median:$88,219
Change:+$72,742

Engineering sector growth driven by demand for BIM (Revit) and Sustainability/LEED.

Is This A Good Salary?

Solid above median

Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$91,895
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Civil Engineer Salary in New Orleans

Walk-away anchor: $78,767 (offers below this are below market for New Orleans).

Leverage Points

  • PE license carries a clear pay premium (often 10-15%) - cite it explicitly
  • Project-specific experience: EV powertrain, semiconductor fab, infrastructure megaprojects
  • Per-diem, travel pay, and relocation are negotiable separately from base
  • Software-adjacent skills (Python, MATLAB, simulation, MLOps) raise the ceiling

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

PE license exam fees, study materials, review coursesRelocation package and temporary housingProject-completion or milestone bonusesPer-diem for site travel and field workTuition reimbursement for MS/PhD

What To Say

"With my PE license and direct experience on [comparable project], market for this role is $X. I'd like base at that level plus a relocation package and project-completion bonus."

Anchor on $115K–$133K for experienced roles, citing New Orleans market data and your specific BIM (Revit)/Sustainability/LEED expertise.

Civil Engineer Salary FAQ — New Orleans

What is the average Civil Engineer salary in New Orleans, LA?
The average Civil Engineer salary in New Orleans is $88,219 per year as of April 2026 — $7,352/month, $1,697/week, or about $42/hour. Salaries range from $59,800 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $133,041 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for New Orleans's cost-of-living multiplier (0.92×).
Is $88,219 a good Civil Engineer salary in New Orleans?
Solid above median. Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income. New Orleans's cost-of-living index is 96 (vs 100 nationally), giving $88,219 a real purchasing power of approximately $91,895 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $88,219 in New Orleans?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For New Orleans specifically (median home price $285,000), a $88,219 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $88,219 enough for a single person in New Orleans?
A single adult in New Orleans typically needs ~$43,200 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $88,219 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $88,219 enough for a couple in New Orleans?
A couple (one earner) in New Orleans typically needs ~$69,120 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $88,219 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $88,219 each ($176,438 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $88,219 enough for a family of 4 in New Orleans?
A family of 4 (one earner) in New Orleans typically needs ~$105,600 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $88,219 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of New Orleans. Childcare costs in New Orleans typically run $14K-$27K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Civil Engineer in New Orleans?
On a $88,219 Civil Engineer salary in New Orleans, LA, you take home approximately $67,713.497 per year ($5,643/month, $2,604 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $11,110.18, state $2,646.57, FICA $6,748.754. Effective tax rate: 23.2%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Civil Engineers in New Orleans earn compared to the US average?
Civil Engineers in New Orleans earn approximately 8% less than the US national median for this role ($95,890 nationally vs $88,219 in New Orleans). However, New Orleans's cost-of-living index of 96 means real purchasing power is approximately $91,895 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Civil Engineer earn in New Orleans?
Entry-level Civil Engineers in New Orleans typically start at around $59,800 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Civil Engineers earn $115,000 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $133,041+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Civil Engineer salaries in New Orleans increase in 2026?
Yes — Civil Engineer salaries in New Orleans grew approximately 470.0% year-over-year, from $15,477 in 2025 to $88,219 in 2026 (+$72,742). This reflects the broader Engineering sector's compensation trend, driven by BIM (Revit) and Sustainability/LEED demand.
What's the job outlook for Civil Engineers in New Orleans?
Civil engineering growing 6% with $1.2T US infrastructure investment driving demand through 2034. New Orleans's top industries include Tourism, Energy, Healthcare, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 5% — steady demand for skilled workers.
What skills are most in demand for Civil Engineers in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Civil Engineers are: BIM (Revit), Sustainability/LEED, Climate-resilient design, Smart cities, Drone surveying. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in New Orleans.
Who are the top employers hiring Civil Engineers in New Orleans?
Top employers hiring Civil Engineers in or near New Orleans include: AECOM, Bechtel, Jacobs, Kiewit, Skanska, state DOTs. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Civil Engineer salary in New Orleans?
With my PE license and direct experience on [comparable project], market for this role is $X. I'd like base at that level plus a relocation package and project-completion bonus. Key leverage points for Engineering negotiations: PE license carries a clear pay premium (often 10-15%) - cite it explicitly; Project-specific experience: EV powertrain, semiconductor fab, infrastructure megaprojects; Per-diem, travel pay, and relocation are negotiable separately from base. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: PE license exam fees, study materials, review courses, Relocation package and temporary housing, Project-completion or milestone bonuses, Per-diem for site travel and field work.
How can I increase my Civil Engineer salary in New Orleans?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (BIM (Revit), Sustainability/LEED, Climate-resilient design) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., PE (Professional Engineer) or LEED). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Civil Engineer in New Orleans?
Bachelor's degree (ABET); PE for senior roles is the typical path. However, New Orleans's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Engineering roles.

Methodology & Sources

Civil Engineer salary figures for New Orleans are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($95,890) by New Orleans's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.92× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (470.0%) reflects the Engineering sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in New Orleans

Mechanical Engineer →Electrical Engineer →

Civil Engineer Salary in Other Cities

San Antonio, TX$89KJacksonville, FL$88KColumbus, OH$93KIndianapolis, IN$89KDetroit, MI$89KMemphis, TN$84KOklahoma City, OK$84KLas Vegas, NV$91K

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