Lake Charles, LA
Metropolitan Area · 2024 BLS OEWS data · Louisiana statewide data
$49,270
Median Annual Wage
+38% since 2014
$50,800
Louisiana Median
-3% vs state
88,780
Total Workers
265
Occupations Tracked
Lake Charles, LA is a Metropolitan Area with 265 tracked occupations and an estimated 88,780 total workers. Wages grew an average of 36.4% from 2014 to 2024, with Management Occupations and Architecture and Engineering Occupations offering the highest median salaries.
Wages by Occupation Group
Top Occupations
| Occupation | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $184,040 |
| Petroleum Engineers | $153,830 |
| Chemists | $130,770 |
| Pharmacists | $129,670 |
| Financial Managers | $127,640 |
| Nurse Practitioners | $127,380 |
| Electrical Engineers | $125,680 |
| Sales Managers | $119,010 |
| Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels | $113,350 |
| Human Resources Managers | $112,990 |
Job Market Trends
2014 → 2024
+36.4%
avg wage growth since 2014
+17.6%
employment change since 2014
Fastest Wage Growth
| Massage Therapists Healthcare Support Occupations |
+267.5%
$18,630 → $68,470
|
| Coaches and Scouts Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations |
+139.4%
$25,860 → $61,900
|
| Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels Transportation and Material Moving Occupations |
+113.4%
$53,120 → $113,350
|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers Production Occupations |
+101.4%
$42,670 → $85,920
|
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations |
+93.8%
$27,900 → $54,080
|
Most Jobs Added
| Managers, All Other Management Occupations |
+600.0%
140 → 980
|
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders Production Occupations |
+500.0%
330 → 2,050
|
| Engineers, All Other Architecture and Engineering Occupations |
+400.0%
250 → 1,470
|
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations |
+400.0%
50 → 270
|
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors Community and Social Service Occupations |
+300.0%
170 → 830
|
Wage Declines
| Chefs and Head Cooks Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations |
-14.0%
$39,260 → $33,760
|
| Surveyors Architecture and Engineering Occupations |
-10.9%
$63,140 → $56,260
|
| Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations |
-8.7%
$65,830 → $60,130
|
| Postal Service Mail Carriers Office and Administrative Support Occupations |
-3.6%
$56,760 → $54,720
|
| Maintenance Workers, Machinery Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations |
-2.7%
$45,770 → $44,520
|
Wage Trends in Lake Charles, LA
View data table
| Year | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| 2024 latest | $49,270 |
| 2023 | $48,420 |
| 2022 | $46,120 |
| 2021 | $45,720 |
| 2020 | $43,100 |
| 2019 | $42,225 |
| 2018 | $40,100 |
| 2017 | $37,560 |
| 2016 | $37,380 |
| 2015 | $36,745 |
| 2014 | $35,690 |