Machinist Salary in Lafayette, LA
Machinists in the Lafayette, LA metro area earn a median $59,830 a year — 2% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $48,845 take-home, or $4,070 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median machinist salary in Lafayette, LA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,000
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,709
- Medicare (1.45%)$868
- Louisiana income tax$1,409
- Take-home pay$48,845
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.00% state
Machinist pay by experience in Lafayette, LA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,470 | $18.98 | $33,096 | $2,758 |
| 25th percentile | $48,720 | $23.42 | $40,251 | $3,354 |
| Median (50th) | $59,830 | $28.76 | $48,845 | $4,070 |
| 75th percentile | $74,630 | $35.88 | $59,480 | $4,957 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,970 | $38.93 | $63,750 | $5,312 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Louisiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $59,830 buys in Lafayette, LA
Prices in Lafayette, LA are 12.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 41% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median machinist's $48,845 take-home pay has the buying power of $56,009 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Lafayette, LA has 2.9× the national concentration of machinist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for machinists, adjusted for cost of living
Lafayette, LA ranks #6 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 |
*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
- Houma, LA — $55,560
Frequently asked questions
How much does a machinist make in Lafayette, LA?
The median machinist salary in the Lafayette, LA metro area is $59,830 a year, or about $28.76 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $48,720 and $74,630.
What is a machinist’s take-home pay in Lafayette, LA?
On the median $59,830 salary, a single filer living in Louisiana takes home about $48,845 a year ($4,070 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,409 in Louisiana taxes in 2026.
Is Lafayette, LA a good place to work as a machinist?
Pay here is 2% above the national median of $58,750. Local prices are 12.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $56,009 would in a typical U.S. city. Lafayette, LA ranks #6 of 115 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a machinist afford rent in Lafayette, LA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Lafayette, LA is $847 a month ($974 for two bedrooms) — 21% of a median machinist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.