Gas Plant Operators Salary in Lake Charles, LA
The median pay for a gas plant operators in Lake Charles, LA is $105,030/year ($50.49/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $83K at the entry level to $105K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 85.85), which stretches that salary to about $122,341 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,217/month, or 18.3% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $105K get you in Lake Charles?
About gas plant operators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Lake Charles, LA
Entry-level gas plant operators (10th percentile) start around $83K. Mid-career wages sit at $105K.Top earners bring in $105K or more - a $22K spread from bottom to top.
Gas Plant Operators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $125K | +50% | 630 |
| Connecticut | $107K | +29% | 90 |
| Oregon | $106K | +27% | 80 |
| Louisiana | $105K | +26% | 1,120 |
| New Jersey | $105K | +26% | 230 |
| Maryland | $104K | +25% | 140 |
| Massachusetts | $101K | +21% | 480 |
| Michigan | $98K | +18% | 480 |
| South Dakota | $98K | +18% | 80 |
| Illinois | $96K | +15% | 810 |
| Utah | $96K | +15% | 160 |
| Arizona | $95K | +14% | N/A |
| New Mexico | $94K | +13% | 250 |
| North Dakota | $94K | +13% | 160 |
| New York | $91K | +9% | 220 |
Track gas plant operators 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 gas plant operators make in Lake Charles, LA?
The median is $105,030 a year - that works out to about $50.49 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $83,400, and experienced gas plant operators can clear $105,090. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $105K enough to live in Lake Charles?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,533/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,217/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 18.6% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a gas plant operators 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 gas plant operators salary is worth about $122,341 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do gas plant operators 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.