Highest paying jobs in Lake Charles, LA
The best paying occupations in the Lake Charles, LA metro area, ranked by median annual wage. Metro wage estimates are suppressed more often than state ones — BLS withholds any figure that too few local employers report — so an occupation missing here simply has no published local estimate.
Cost of living: prices here run 14.1% below the national average (2024).
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025
| # | Occupation | MedianLake Charles, LA | 10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Physicians, All OtherDoctoral or professional degree | $284,440 | $110,910 – $488,910 | 60 |
| 2 | Architectural and Engineering ManagersBachelor's degree | $191,250 | $135,260 – $223,750 | 150 |
| 3 | Chemical EngineersBachelor's degree | $136,810 | $95,280 – $177,790 | 100 |
| 4 | Industrial Production ManagersBachelor's degree | $136,800 | $79,720 – $215,990 | 200 |
| 5 | PharmacistsDoctoral or professional degree | $133,720 | $84,820 – $157,400 | 220 |
| 6 | Electrical EngineersBachelor's degree | $129,940 | $80,520 – $170,700 | 70 |
| 7 | Industrial EngineersBachelor's degree | $129,260 | $78,540 – $180,490 | 180 |
| 8 | Nurse PractitionersMaster's degree | $128,460 | $103,770 – $157,910 | 180 |
| 9 | ChemistsBachelor's degree | $128,330 | $80,060 – $168,460 | 180 |
| 10 | Physician AssistantsMaster's degree | $127,160 | $58,930 – $162,380 | 40 |
| 11 | Mechanical EngineersBachelor's degree | $126,090 | $75,510 – $201,710 | 110 |
| 12 | Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and InspectorsBachelor's degree | $125,670 | $93,480 – $169,890 | 70 |
| 13 | Sales ManagersBachelor's degree | $124,580 | $65,720 – $197,810 | 160 |
| 14 | Financial ManagersBachelor's degree | $123,450 | $82,580 – $247,100 | 240 |
| 15 | Software DevelopersBachelor's degree | $120,940 | $63,030 – $171,290 | 100 |
| 16 | Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water VesselsPostsecondary nondegree award | $119,630 | $59,190 – $123,780 | 150 |
| 17 | VeterinariansDoctoral or professional degree | $115,210 | $72,820 – $153,670 | 60 |
| 18 | Dentists, GeneralDoctoral or professional degree | $114,470 | $66,840 – $263,990 | 90 |
| 19 | Computer and Information Systems ManagersBachelor's degree | $112,460 | $86,490 – $202,410 | 70 |
| 20 | Construction ManagersBachelor's degree | $108,590 | $62,020 – $163,570 | 360 |
| 21 | Chief ExecutivesBachelor's degree | $108,200 | $62,820 – $297,360 | 60 |
| 22 | Human Resources ManagersBachelor's degree | $105,370 | $54,050 – $188,860 | 50 |
| 23 | Managers, All OtherBachelor's degree | $103,550 | $56,700 – $187,750 | 800 |
| 24 | Chemical Plant and System OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $102,310 | $50,910 – $121,530 | 740 |
| 25 | LawyersDoctoral or professional degree | $101,690 | $58,510 – $229,950 | 350 |
| 26 | General and Operations ManagersBachelor's degree | $101,370 | $50,230 – $215,680 | 2,140 |
| 27 | Medical and Health Services ManagersBachelor's degree | $101,320 | $67,170 – $174,230 | 200 |
| 28 | Commercial PilotsPostsecondary nondegree award | $99,600 | $50,820 – $158,820 | 70 |
| 29 | Management AnalystsBachelor's degree | $97,810 | $65,960 – $158,190 | 60 |
| 30 | Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree | $97,740 | $54,320 – $106,860 | 40 |
| 31 | Civil EngineersBachelor's degree | $97,490 | $42,620 – $156,930 | 120 |
| 32 | Engineers, All OtherBachelor's degree | $94,810 | $85,540 – $175,870 | 1,330 |
| 33 | First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $94,280 | $48,990 – $166,500 | 690 |
| 34 | Administrative Services ManagersBachelor's degree | $93,580 | $50,060 – $181,390 | 90 |
| 35 | Project Management SpecialistsBachelor's degree | $92,770 | $55,510 – $159,550 | 350 |
| 36 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $92,640 | $51,620 – $174,000 | 140 |
| 37 | First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $92,560 | $53,610 – $161,200 | 750 |
| 38 | LogisticiansBachelor's degree | $92,170 | $60,280 – $170,470 | 110 |
| 39 | Computer Systems AnalystsBachelor's degree | $91,210 | $60,210 – $132,290 | 80 |
| 40 | Registered NursesBachelor's degree | $90,690 | $62,570 – $121,680 | 2,460 |
| 41 | Physical TherapistsDoctoral or professional degree | $88,900 | $55,180 – $130,360 | 140 |
| 42 | Chemical TechniciansAssociate's degree | $88,780 | $60,180 – $113,950 | 150 |
| 43 | Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and InvestigatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $88,710 | $37,690 – $111,140 | 30 |
| 44 | Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and AdvisorsMaster's degree | $87,940 | $67,750 – $87,940 | 850 |
| 45 | Education Administrators, Kindergarten through SecondaryMaster's degree | $84,410 | $71,860 – $94,860 | 250 |
| 46 | Dental HygienistsAssociate's degree | $84,080 | $62,950 – $92,910 | 120 |
| 47 | Occupational TherapistsMaster's degree | $83,840 | $44,860 – $128,410 | 70 |
| 48 | Network and Computer Systems AdministratorsBachelor's degree | $83,670 | $62,280 – $140,570 | 40 |
| 49 | Occupational Health and Safety SpecialistsBachelor's degree | $82,710 | $62,950 – $126,410 | 280 |
| 50 | Training and Development SpecialistsBachelor's degree | $80,550 | $41,530 – $128,380 | 120 |