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What is the average salary in Lake Charles, LA?

The average salary in Lake Charles, LA is $54,437 per year.

Salaries in Lake Charles, LA, offer a range of opportunities for job seekers. The average yearly salary stands at $54,437. This figure provides a solid benchmark for what one might expect in the local job market.


Different industries contribute to the salary landscape. High-paying sectors include management, professional, and related occupations, as well as sales and office occupations. Here is a breakdown of the salary distribution:

  • Management, professional, and related occupations: $101,818
  • Sales and office occupations: $69,091
  • Service occupations: $36,364
  • Production, transportation, and material moving occupations: $52,727
  • Other occupations: $183,636
This diversity in earnings across sectors allows job seekers to find roles that match their skill sets and career goals.

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What are the best paying jobs in Lake Charles, LA?

Lake Charles, Louisiana offers a variety of high-paying job opportunities for skilled professionals. Pharmacists lead the list with an average salary of around $121,216. This profession involves managing medications and providing expert advice on their use. Speech Language Pathologists follow closely, earning about $96,821, helping individuals with communication difficulties. CDL Drivers also secure good wages, earning roughly $86,869 annually. This job requires operating large vehicles safely and efficiently, often over long distances. Other notable high-paying jobs in Lake Charles include Outside Sales Representatives, Account Managers, and Registered Nurses. These roles provide good compensation while allowing individuals to build rewarding careers.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Lake Charles, LA, highlighting Pharmacist with the highest at $121,216 and General Manager with the lowest at $58,540.
  1. Pharmacist
    Average Salary: $121,216
    Pharmacists serve in pharmacies across the region. They ensure the proper use of prescription medication. Many find opportunities with local chains and independent stores.
    Find Pharmacist jobs in Lake Charles, LA


  2. Speech Language Pathologist
    Average Salary: $96,821
    These professionals help patients with communication. They often work in healthcare settings. Opportunities exist with both hospitals and rehabilitation centers.
    Find Speech Language Pathologist jobs in Lake Charles, LA


  3. CDL Driver
    Average Salary: $86,869
    Drivers with a commercial driver’s license find roles in logistics. They transport goods across the region. Companies in need of drivers include local distributors and freight companies.
    Find CDL Driver jobs in Lake Charles, LA


  4. Outside Sales Representative
    Average Salary: $82,166
    Sales reps meet clients in person. They promote products and services to businesses. Many sales roles exist with manufacturing and distribution companies in the area.
    Find Outside Sales Representative jobs in Lake Charles, LA


  5. Account Manager
    Average Salary: $81,115
    Account managers oversee client relationships. They work to grow business with key accounts. Opportunities are available with local firms across various industries.
    Find Account Manager jobs in Lake Charles, LA


  6. Registered Nurse
    Average Salary: $79,126
    RNs provide essential care in hospitals and clinics. They coordinate patient care and administer treatment. Local healthcare facilities offer many nursing positions.
    Find Registered Nurse jobs in Lake Charles, LA


  7. Sales Manager
    Average Salary: $73,131
    Sales managers lead teams of sales representatives. They develop strategies to meet sales goals. Opportunities exist with both local and national companies.
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  8. Aircraft Mechanic
    Average Salary: $69,476
    Mechanics maintain and repair aircraft. They work in maintenance facilities. Positions are available with airlines and private aircraft companies.
    Find Aircraft Mechanic jobs in Lake Charles, LA


  9. Insurance Agent
    Average Salary: $63,276
    Insurance agents help clients find coverage. They assess needs and recommend policies. Many work with local insurance firms.
    Find Insurance Agent jobs in Lake Charles, LA


  10. General Manager
    Average Salary: $58,540
    General managers oversee operations. They manage staff and ensure smooth business operations. Opportunities exist in retail, hospitality, and other sectors.
    Find General Manager jobs in Lake Charles, LA

What are the best paying jobs in Lake Charles, LA without a degree?

Looking to find a well-paying job in Lake Charles without needing a college degree? Several roles offer competitive pay and growth opportunities. Restaurant managers earn an average of $36,124 per year. Meat cutters, groundskeepers, and service team members also secure positions with salaries over $25,000 annually. These jobs provide a stable income while allowing room for career advancement. Housekeeping and server roles offer opportunities to earn around $28,000 per year. Positions like baristas and kitchen team members can also provide good wages, starting at about $26,000. Each of these roles benefits from Lake Charles' vibrant local economy.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Lake Charles, LA without a degree, highlighting Restaurant Manager with the highest at $36,124 and Kitchen Team Member with the lowest at $25,089.
  1. Restaurant Manager
    Average Salary: $36,124
    Oversee daily operations. Coordinate staff and manage inventory. Ensure customer satisfaction.
    Find Restaurant Manager jobs in Lake Charles, LA


  2. Meat Cutter
    Average Salary: $32,854
    Cut and package meat. Follow health and safety rules. Work with local grocery stores and butcher shops.
    Find Meat Cutter jobs in Lake Charles, LA


  3. Groundskeeper
    Average Salary: $30,617
    Maintain lawns and landscapes. Use tools to keep areas clean. Work with parks and private properties.
    Find Groundskeeper jobs in Lake Charles, LA


  4. Service Team Member
    Average Salary: $29,788
    Greet and serve customers. Process payments and handle returns. Work in retail and restaurants.
    Find Service Team Member jobs in Lake Charles, LA


  5. Server
    Average Salary: $28,805
    Take orders and deliver food. Answer questions about the menu. Work in family-style and fine-dining restaurants.
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  6. Housekeeping
    Average Salary: $28,044
    Clean rooms and common areas. Change linens and restock supplies. Work in hotels and motels.
    Find Housekeeping jobs in Lake Charles, LA


  7. Server Assistant
    Average Salary: $26,862
    Help servers with tasks. Set tables and clear dishes. Work in busy dining areas.
    Find Server Assistant jobs in Lake Charles, LA


  8. Barista
    Average Salary: $26,777
    Prepare coffee drinks. Serve customers with a smile. Work in cafes and coffee shops.
    Find Barista jobs in Lake Charles, LA


  9. Dishwasher
    Average Salary: $26,325
    Wash dishes and clean the kitchen. Follow sanitation guidelines. Work in restaurants and cafes.
    Find Dishwasher jobs in Lake Charles, LA


  10. Kitchen Team Member
    Average Salary: $25,089
    Prepare ingredients and assist cooks. Follow recipes and kitchen rules. Work in fast-paced kitchens.
    Find Kitchen Team Member jobs in Lake Charles, LA

Which companies offer the top salaries in Lake Charles, LA?

Companies in Lake Charles offer a variety of salary levels. Bechtel leads the way with the highest average salary of $107,741. Northwestern Mutual follows closely with an average salary of $100,570. These figures show that job seekers can expect competitive compensation in several sectors. Among the companies with top salaries, Northrop Grumman, CHRISTUS Health, and Amedisys also provide attractive compensation packages. Northrop Grumman pays an average of $93,629, CHRISTUS Health offers $77,476, and Amedisys pays $74,815. These companies provide good opportunities for those seeking higher earnings in the Lake Charles area.
Graph displaying company salaries in Lake Charles, LA, highlighting Bechtel with the highest at $107,741 and Walgreens with the lowest at $52,128.
  1. Bechtel
    Average Salary: $107,741
    Bechtel is a global engineering, procurement, and construction firm. They offer competitive salaries and benefits.


  2. Northwestern Mutual
    Average Salary: $100,570
    Northwestern Mutual is a financial services company. They provide opportunities for career growth and competitive pay.


  3. Northrop Grumman
    Average Salary: $93,629
    Northrop Grumman is an aerospace and defense technology company. They offer a range of benefits and good salaries.


  4. CHRISTUS Health
    Average Salary: $77,476
    CHRISTUS Health is a Catholic health organization. They offer competitive pay and a variety of healthcare benefits.


  5. Amedisys
    Average Salary: $74,815
    Amedisys is a home health care company. They provide good salaries and career advancement opportunities.


  6. CVS Health
    Average Salary: $63,226
    CVS Health is a pharmacy and healthcare services company. They offer benefits and competitive pay packages.


  7. Austin Industrial
    Average Salary: $60,079
    Austin Industrial is a construction company. They offer stable jobs with good salaries.


  8. Lake Charles Memorial Health System
    Average Salary: $55,093
    Lake Charles Memorial Health System is a healthcare provider. They offer healthcare benefits and a good salary.


  9. McNeese State University
    Average Salary: $53,117
    McNeese State University is an educational institution. They offer good salaries and benefits for faculty and staff.


  10. Walgreens
    Average Salary: $52,128
    Walgreens is a pharmacy retailer. They offer competitive pay and a variety of employee benefits.

How does the cost of living in Lake Charles, LA compare to the national average?

The cost of living in Lake Charles, LA, is notably below the nationwide average. The overall cost of living index for Lake Charles stands at 88, which is 12% lower than the benchmark of 100. This difference suggests that residents can expect to spend less on various living expenses compared to the national average. Specifically, Lake Charles offers significant savings in housing, with an index of 80. Groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous expenses also remain under the national average, albeit with smaller margins. This lower cost of living makes Lake Charles an attractive option for job seekers looking to balance expenses with quality of life.
Cost of living comparison graph for Lake Charles, LA vs. Nationwide: housing 20% lower, groceries 10% lower, utilities 5% lower, transportation 12% lower, healthcare 8% lower, miscellaneous 15% lower.

The cost of living in Lake Charles, Louisiana, is notably lower than the nationwide average, which is set at 100. Housing costs in Lake Charles stand at 80, indicating that residents spend 20% less on housing compared to the national average. This makes it an attractive option for those looking to reduce living expenses.


Beyond housing, other areas also show affordability. Groceries cost 90 in Lake Charles, which is 10% less than the nationwide average. Utilities are priced at 95, reflecting a 5% saving. Transportation costs sit at 88, which means residents spend 12% less on getting around. Healthcare costs are 92, slightly lower than the average, and miscellaneous expenses are at 85, which is a 15% reduction. These figures provide a clear picture of the cost savings available in Lake Charles for those considering relocation.

There are 806 job openings in Lake Charles, LA, today!

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City
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Lake Charles, LA
806 Job Openings