Chemists Salary in Lake Charles, LA
Chemists in Lake Charles, LA make a median of $130,770 a year, or about $62.87 an hour. The range runs from $75K at the entry level to $162K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 85.85), which stretches that salary to about $152,324 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,217/month, or 15.3% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $131K get you in Lake Charles?
About chemists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Lake Charles, LA
Entry-level chemists (10th percentile) start around $75K. Mid-career wages sit at $131K.Top earners bring in $162K or more - a $86K spread from bottom to top.
Chemists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $153K | +82% | 250 |
| New Mexico | $134K | +60% | 210 |
| Maryland | $132K | +57% | 3,000 |
| Massachusetts | $127K | +51% | 3,340 |
| Delaware | $125K | +49% | 1,180 |
| Louisiana | $109K | +30% | 630 |
| West Virginia | $108K | +28% | 270 |
| Texas | $101K | +20% | 5,490 |
| Virginia | $100K | +19% | 1,340 |
| Rhode Island | $97K | +16% | 120 |
| Illinois | $97K | +15% | 3,250 |
| California | $97K | +15% | 8,480 |
| Alabama | $96K | +14% | 630 |
| Alaska | $95K | +13% | 40 |
| Georgia | $95K | +13% | 1,080 |
Track chemists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Lake Charles numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do chemists make in Lake Charles, LA?
The median is $130,770 a year - that works out to about $62.87 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $75,360, and experienced chemists can clear $161,850. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $131K enough to live in Lake Charles?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,930/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,217/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 15.3% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a chemists salary go in Lake Charles?
Lake Charles has a Regional Price Parity of 85.85 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median chemists salary is worth about $152,324 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do chemists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.