Mechanical Engineering Degree in Metairie, LA — Salary & ROI 2026
Mechanical Engineering degree analysis for Metairie, LA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$70K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$98K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.4 yrs
in Metairie
Cost of Living
89.4
index (100 = avg)
Mechanical Engineering in Metairie, LA Overview
Metairie, Louisiana (pop. 138,481) has 6 colleges offering Mechanical Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 89.4 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $645/month. Mechanical Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in CAD and Thermodynamics. The adjusted starting salary in Metairie is approximately $69,732.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
6
Public Tuition
$9,800/yr
Private Tuition
$28,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,366/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,835/yr
Unemployment
3.4%
Graduation Rate
57%
Mechanical Engineering Salary in Metairie (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Metairie's cost of living index of 89.4 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Mechanical Engineering salary: $78,000 starting, $110,000 mid-career, $138,000 senior level.Metairie adjustment factor: 0.89x based on the local cost of living index.
Mechanical Engineering ROI Calculator for Metairie
Estimate your return on investment for a Mechanical Engineering degree using local Metairie tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,800 | Private avg: $28,000
Metairie avg aid: $14,835/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$92,664
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$38,442
vs HS diploma in Metairie
ROI Payback Period
2.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Metairie
$756,636
Lifetime earnings premium ($849,300) minus total education cost ($92,664)
Student Loan Payoff for Mechanical Engineering in Metairie
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Metairie for Mechanical Engineering
Metairie State University
public
$8,983/yr
$35,932 total
University of Metairie
public
$10,583/yr
$42,332 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Metairie Community College
$4,982/yr
Top Employers for Mechanical Engineering in Metairie
Metairie offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Mechanical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Metairie Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Mechanical Engineering Job Titles
Mechanical Engineering in Nearby Louisiana Cities
New Orleans, LA
$70K starting · COL 90
23 colleges
Baton Rouge, LA
$64K starting · COL 82
16 colleges
Shreveport, LA
$77K starting · COL 99
14 colleges
Lafayette, LA
$81K starting · COL 104
5 colleges
Lake Charles, LA
$62K starting · COL 80
6 colleges
Bossier City, LA
$68K starting · COL 87.8
3 colleges
Kenner, LA
$72K starting · COL 92.5
3 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Metairie
Petroleum Engineering
$45K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$45K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$73K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$45K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$72K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$72K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$45K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$45K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering Degree in Metairie — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Mechanical Engineering ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Metairie.