Top Paying Jobs in Lake Charles, LA (2026)
Lake Charles, LA has 120 jobs across diverse industries. The highest-paying occupations include Architectural and Engineering Managers ($184,040), Petroleum Engineers ($153,830), Chemists ($130,770). The cost of living index is 85.85 (national average = 100). Median 2-bedroom rent is $1,217/month.
$115K
Avg. median salary
85.85
Cost of living index
$1,217
Median 2BR rent
N/A
Population
Highest paying careers in Lake Charles
| Rank | Occupation | Category | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | Management | $184K | $88.48/hr |
| 2 | Petroleum Engineers | Engineering | $154K | $73.96/hr |
| 3 | Chemists | Science | $131K | $62.87/hr |
| 4 | Pharmacists | Healthcare | $130K | $62.34/hr |
| 5 | Financial Managers | Management | $128K | $61.37/hr |
| 6 | Nurse Practitioners | Healthcare | $127K | $61.24/hr |
| 7 | Electrical Engineers | Engineering | $126K | $60.42/hr |
| 8 | Sales Managers | Management | $119K | $57.22/hr |
| 9 | Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels | Transportation | $113K | $54.5/hr |
| 10 | Human Resources Managers | Management | $113K | $54.32/hr |
| 11 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | Management | $112K | $53.73/hr |
| 12 | Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | Engineering | $111K | $53.46/hr |
| 13 | Civil Engineers | Engineering | $107K | $51.35/hr |
| 14 | Mechanical Engineers | Engineering | $107K | $51.34/hr |
| 15 | Gas Plant Operators | Production & Manufacturing | $105K | $50.49/hr |
| 16 | Construction Managers | Management | $105K | $50.24/hr |
| 17 | Logisticians | Business & Finance | $104K | $50.22/hr |
| 18 | Veterinarians | Healthcare | $104K | $50.13/hr |
| 19 | Managers, All Other | Management | $104K | $49.83/hr |
| 20 | Software Developers | Technology | $103K | $49.49/hr |
| 21 | General and Operations Managers | Management | $101K | $48.41/hr |
| 22 | Lawyers | Legal | $98K | $47.11/hr |
| 23 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | Management | $97K | $46.59/hr |
| 24 | Computer Systems Analysts | Technology | $97K | $46.59/hr |
| 25 | Dentists, General | Healthcare | $95K | $45.76/hr |
Affordability snapshot: Lake Charles
Cost of living vs. national average-14.2% less expensive
Studio apartment (FMR)$/mo
1-bedroom apartment (FMR)$/mo
2-bedroom apartment (FMR)$1,217/mo
3-bedroom apartment (FMR)$/mo
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After federal and state taxes