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Average salary by job family in Lake Charles
| Management | $118,330 |
|---|---|
| Architecture and Engineering | $112,130 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science | $93,470 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical | $91,870 |
| Legal | $91,770 |
| Computer and Mathematical | $89,620 |
| Business and Financial Operations | $79,360 |
| Production | $74,440 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair | $63,330 |
| Community and Social Service | $63,310 |
| Construction and Extraction | $53,590 |
| Educational Instruction and Library | $52,900 |
| Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media | $52,460 |
| Protective Service | $49,460 |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | $49,170 |
| Transportation and Material Moving | $43,820 |
| Office and Administrative Support | $41,740 |
| Sales and Related | $40,850 |
| Healthcare Support | $31,770 |
| Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance | $31,250 |
| Personal Care and Service | $29,670 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related | $25,700 |
Highest-paying jobs in Lake Charles
- Physicians, All Other$298,280
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$190,490
- Industrial Production Managers$150,030
- Dentists, General$148,680
- Chief Executives$148,260
- Financial Managers$145,990
- Chemical Engineers$144,900
- Industrial Engineers$133,340
- Nurse Practitioners$131,490
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$131,470
Most common jobs in Lake Charles and what they pay
| Job | Jobs | Average salary | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cashiers | 2,840 | $27,500 | $27,480 |
| Retail Salespersons | 2,620 | $32,080 | $28,780 |
| Registered Nurses | 2,460 | $89,570 | $90,690 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 2,350 | $23,830 | $22,500 |
| General and Operations Managers | 2,140 | $120,900 | $101,370 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 2,140 | $24,830 | $23,000 |
| Construction Laborers | 2,130 | $45,930 | $45,240 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | 1,950 | $20,490 | $15,080 |
| Food Preparation Workers | 1,940 | $26,180 | $23,380 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | 1,780 | $59,090 | $56,290 |
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Cost of living in Lake Charles
Prices in the Lake Charles area are 14% below the U.S. average, with a BEA price parity of 85.9 for 2024. The average local salary of $56,630 therefore buys what $65,962 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. A typical home is worth $202,237, 3.0 times the median household income of $67,010.
$202,237typical home value
$67,010median household income
85.9BEA price parity
245,973metro population
Take-home pay in Lake Charles
| Salary level | Gross | After tax | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile wage | $30,440 | $26,111 | $2,176 |
| Median wage | $45,700 | $37,915 | $3,160 |
| Average wage | $56,630 | $46,369 | $3,864 |
| 75th percentile wage | $69,490 | $56,018 | $4,668 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Salaries for every job in Lake Charles
Management20 jobs
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$190K
- Industrial Production Managers$150K
- Chief Executives$148K
- Financial Managers$146K
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$131K
- Sales Managers$130K
- General and Operations Managers$121K
- Human Resources Managers$118K
- Medical and Health Services Managers$117K
- Construction Managers$115K
- Managers, All Other$115K
- Administrative Services Managers$110K
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$104K
- Social and Community Service Managers$83K
- Facilities Managers$83K
- Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$82K
- Gambling Managers$82K
- Food Service Managers$63K
- Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$63K
- Lodging Managers$56K
Architecture and Engineering12 jobs
- Chemical Engineers$145K
- Industrial Engineers$133K
- Electrical Engineers$131K
- Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors$131K
- Mechanical Engineers$129K
- Engineers, All Other$116K
- Civil Engineers$101K
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians$93K
- Architectural and Civil Drafters$91K
- Drafters, All Other$82K
- Surveyors$74K
- Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other$68K
Life, Physical, and Social Science5 jobs
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical23 jobs
- Physicians, All Other$298K
- Dentists, General$149K
- Nurse Practitioners$131K
- Pharmacists$129K
- Physician Assistants$124K
- Veterinarians$118K
- Physical Therapists$97K
- Registered Nurses$90K
- Occupational Therapists$87K
- Dental Hygienists$80K
- Speech-Language Pathologists$74K
- Respiratory Therapists$73K
- Radiologic Technologists and Technicians$60K
- Surgical Technologists$56K
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$54K
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other$52K
- Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$50K
- Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other$44K
- Pharmacy Technicians$42K
- Opticians, Dispensing$37K
- Emergency Medical Technicians$37K
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$34K
- Psychiatric Technicians$33K
Legal3 jobs
Computer and Mathematical6 jobs
Business and Financial Operations17 jobs
- Management Analysts$103K
- Logisticians$103K
- Project Management Specialists$100K
- Compliance Officers$86K
- Accountants and Auditors$84K
- Personal Financial Advisors$84K
- Financial and Investment Analysts$84K
- Training and Development Specialists$83K
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators$79K
- Buyers and Purchasing Agents$78K
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other$77K
- Cost Estimators$76K
- Loan Officers$66K
- Human Resources Specialists$65K
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$60K
- Financial Specialists, All Other$58K
- Tax Preparers$41K
Production13 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$100K
- Chemical Plant and System Operators$99K
- Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders$76K
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$74K
- Machinists$74K
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$69K
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators$58K
- Production Workers, All Other$53K
- Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$44K
- Helpers--Production Workers$40K
- Butchers and Meat Cutters$37K
- Bakers$30K
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$27K
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair18 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$100K
- Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers$84K
- Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$74K
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians$73K
- Maintenance Workers, Machinery$69K
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$68K
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment$64K
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics$63K
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$58K
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other$57K
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$55K
- Automotive Body and Related Repairers$53K
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$52K
- Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers$51K
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$51K
- Riggers$49K
- Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers$36K
- Tire Repairers and Changers$33K
Community and Social Service8 jobs
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$83K
- Healthcare Social Workers$68K
- Social Workers, All Other$52K
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers$51K
- Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other$49K
- Counselors, All Other$46K
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$43K
- Social and Human Service Assistants$40K
Construction and Extraction18 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$76K
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$66K
- Electricians$64K
- Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas$63K
- Construction and Building Inspectors$62K
- Sheet Metal Workers$60K
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$54K
- Glaziers$49K
- Carpenters$47K
- Roustabouts, Oil and Gas$47K
- Construction Laborers$46K
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance$45K
- Hazardous Materials Removal Workers$41K
- Helpers--Carpenters$40K
- Helpers, Construction Trades, All Other$40K
- Helpers--Electricians$37K
- Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$37K
- Highway Maintenance Workers$31K
Educational Instruction and Library16 jobs
- Self-Enrichment Teachers$71K
- Instructional Coordinators$68K
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School$62K
- Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other$59K
- Librarians and Media Collections Specialists$56K
- Special Education Teachers, All Other$55K
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$55K
- Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$55K
- Teachers and Instructors, All Other$54K
- Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$53K
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$53K
- Special Education Teachers, Middle School$53K
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$52K
- Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education$52K
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$42K
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$35K
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media5 jobs
Protective Service12 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$72K
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators$69K
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$60K
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$59K
- First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers$47K
- Correctional Officers and Jailers$43K
- Protective Service Workers, All Other$40K
- Firefighters$39K
- Animal Control Workers$39K
- School Bus Monitors$34K
- Security Guards$34K
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$26K
Transportation and Material Moving17 jobs
- Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels$108K
- Commercial Pilots$101K
- Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders$64K
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$63K
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$52K
- Light Truck Drivers$46K
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$45K
- Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors$43K
- Sailors and Marine Oilers$43K
- Bus Drivers, School$41K
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$36K
- Stockers and Order Fillers$35K
- Driver/Sales Workers$33K
- Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants$32K
- Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs$30K
- Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$29K
- Packers and Packagers, Hand$29K
Office and Administrative Support28 jobs
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks$67K
- Postal Service Clerks$63K
- Postal Service Mail Carriers$61K
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$59K
- Cargo and Freight Agents$57K
- Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$54K
- Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks$50K
- Court, Municipal, and License Clerks$49K
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$46K
- Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$45K
- Financial Clerks, All Other$45K
- Billing and Posting Clerks$43K
- Loan Interviewers and Clerks$43K
- Public Safety Telecommunicators$43K
- Information and Record Clerks, All Other$42K
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$41K
- Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other$40K
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$40K
- Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$37K
- Customer Service Representatives$37K
- Data Entry Keyers$36K
- Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan$35K
- Tellers$34K
- Office Clerks, General$34K
- Couriers and Messengers$34K
- Receptionists and Information Clerks$31K
- File Clerks$29K
- Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$27K
Sales and Related14 jobs
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products$105K
- First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers$86K
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$76K
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$71K
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$60K
- Insurance Sales Agents$49K
- Real Estate Sales Agents$49K
- First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$47K
- Sales and Related Workers, All Other$43K
- Counter and Rental Clerks$38K
- Parts Salespersons$37K
- Retail Salespersons$32K
- Cashiers$28K
- Gambling Change Persons and Booth Cashiers$25K
Healthcare Support9 jobs
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance6 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers$50K
- First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$44K
- Pest Control Workers$41K
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$33K
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$30K
- Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$26K
Personal Care and Service13 jobs
- Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers$49K
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services$45K
- First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers$41K
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$38K
- Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other$37K
- Skincare Specialists$32K
- Recreation Workers$30K
- Gambling Dealers$29K
- Animal Caretakers$28K
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers$27K
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$26K
- Amusement and Recreation Attendants$26K
- Childcare Workers$25K
Food Preparation and Serving Related13 jobs
- Chefs and Head Cooks$49K
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$37K
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$32K
- Cooks, Restaurant$30K
- Food Preparation Workers$26K
- Dishwashers$25K
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$25K
- Fast Food and Counter Workers$24K
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$24K
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other$24K
- Bartenders$23K
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$21K
- Waiters and Waitresses$20K
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Salary in Lake Charles: questions
What is a good salary in Lake Charles?
Half of all workers in the Lake Charles metro earn less than $45,700 and the average is $56,630. Earning more than $69,490 puts you in the top quarter of local wages.
How much do you need to earn in Lake Charles to match a $69,770 salary elsewhere?
About $59,899, because prices here are 14% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 85.9).
What are the highest-paying jobs in Lake Charles?
Physicians, All Other ($298,280), Architectural and Engineering Managers ($190,490), Industrial Production Managers ($150,030).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. Area Lake Charles, LA (29340), all occupations and 276 individual jobs. What a metro area includes.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Population and median household income: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2023.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.