Machinist Salary in Houma, LA
Machinists in the Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA metro area earn a median $55,560 a year — 5% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $45,542 take-home, or $3,795 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median machinist salary in Houma, LA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,487
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,445
- Medicare (1.45%)$806
- Louisiana income tax$1,281
- Take-home pay$45,542
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.00% state
Machinist pay by experience in Houma, LA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,150 | $18.34 | $32,075 | $2,673 |
| 25th percentile | $47,360 | $22.77 | $39,199 | $3,267 |
| Median (50th) | $55,560 | $26.71 | $45,542 | $3,795 |
| 75th percentile | $63,040 | $30.31 | $51,328 | $4,277 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,080 | $36.58 | $60,456 | $5,038 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Louisiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $55,560 buys in Houma, LA
Prices in Houma, LA are 14.9% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 49% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median machinist's $45,542 take-home pay has the buying power of $53,514 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Houma, LA has 3.7× the national concentration of machinist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for machinists, adjusted for cost of living
Houma, LA ranks #13 of 115 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baton Rouge, LA | $67,700 | $54,812 | $60,379 |
| 2 | New Orleans, LA | $66,990 | $54,334 | $58,678 |
| 3 | St. Cloud, MN | $62,230 | $49,474 | $56,456 |
| 4 | Kingsport, TN | $57,890 | $48,695 | $56,329 |
| 5 | Davenport, IA | $61,710 | $50,071 | $56,209 |
| 6 | Lafayette, LA | $59,830 | $48,845 | $56,009 |
| 7 | Toledo, OH | $62,190 | $51,222 | $56,008 |
| 8 | Beaumont, TX | $59,800 | $50,229 | $55,782 |
| 13 | Houma, LA | $55,560 | $45,542 | $53,514 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 115 metros →
Machinist salaries elsewhere in Louisiana
- Baton Rouge, LA — $67,700
- New Orleans, LA — $66,990
- Lafayette, LA — $59,830
Frequently asked questions
How much does a machinist make in Houma, LA?
The median machinist salary in the Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA metro area is $55,560 a year, or about $26.71 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $47,360 and $63,040.
What is a machinist’s take-home pay in Houma, LA?
On the median $55,560 salary, a single filer living in Louisiana takes home about $45,542 a year ($3,795 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,281 in Louisiana taxes in 2026.
Is Houma, LA a good place to work as a machinist?
Pay here is 5% below the national median of $58,750. Local prices are 14.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $53,514 would in a typical U.S. city. Houma, LA ranks #13 of 115 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a machinist afford rent in Houma, LA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Houma, LA is $904 a month ($1,102 for two bedrooms) — 24% of a median machinist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.