Civil Engineer Salary in Natchitoches, LA: $95,119 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Natchitoches, LA earns a median $95,119/year (≈ $45.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Natchitoches's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $105,337 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% below the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Natchitoches, Louisiana, the anticipated civil engineer salary for 2026 is projected at $95,119, positioning it slightly below the national median of $103,492. Local salaries range significantly, from $71,527 at the lower end (P10) to as high as $146,059 (P90), driven largely by the sector in which an engineer is employed. The job market reflects an interesting divide between engineering consulting firms, like AECOM and Jacobs, and government positions with the Department of Transportation, as well as construction roles within the industry. These factors contribute to variations in compensation, highlighting the importance of firm type and project involvement in shaping salary outcomes in the local landscape.
About the Natchitoches Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,527 | $34.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,549 | $38.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $95,119 | $45.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $116,316 | $55.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $146,059 | $70.22 |
Median Salary Position
8.09% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Natchitoches
In Natchitoches, LA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $74,532 (2026 est.). At $95,119, the local median is 8.09% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Natchitoches: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Natchitoches Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Natchitoches median: $95,119/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Natchitoches Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $101,840 | -6.60% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -8.09% less |
Civil Engineers in Natchitoches, LA earn a median of $95,119 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.09% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 6.60% below the Louisiana state average of $101,840.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Natchitoches has a cost of living 9.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Natchitoches, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $95,119 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,337 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$80,016
2025 BLS Actual
$92,681
2026 Current Est.
$95,119
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Natchitoches (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,016 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,404 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,926 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,663 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,132 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,632 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,681 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,119 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,620 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Natchitoches metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $80,016 (2019) to $92,681 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,620 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,604 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Natchitoches 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) | $71,527 – $79,549 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,549 – $95,119 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $95,119 – $116,316 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $116,316 – $146,059 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Natchitoches
The local job market, with only six civil engineers currently employed, suggests a tight-knit community yet ample growth opportunity, particularly given the low cost of living index at 90.3. This favorable cost context allows for a higher purchasing power despite a slightly lower salary in comparison to national figures. Among employers, engineering consulting firms tend to offer the highest pay, especially for positions requiring a PE license, which can create a significant pay gap between entry-level and senior roles. Specialty fields such as structural or geotechnical engineering may command premiums, while federal and public works positions often provide more stable income but may lag behind in overall compensation. For those in Natchitoches, pursuing a PE license and developing a specialization can be strategic moves to maximize civil engineer pay in this evolving market.
More salary data for Natchitoches, 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 $92,681 for civil engineersin the Natchitoches 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
Salary data for Natchitoches is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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