Engineering Lake Charles, LA Pop. 80,000

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The median aerospace engineer salary in Lake Charles, LA is $109,117 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 5.5% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$109,117
vs State Avg
$-6,344
vs National
$-17,763
Cost of Living
86%

Aerospace Engineer Pay in Lake Charles: What to Expect (2026)

Lake Charles offers a median aerospace engineer salary of $109,117, which is $6,344 below the Louisiana state average of $115,461. Compared to the national median of $126,880, Lake Charles pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Lake Charles's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $109,117 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $126,880 in an average-cost city. This makes Lake Charles an attractive option for aerospace engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for aerospace engineers in Lake Charles spans from $67,080 at the 10th percentile to $165,120 at the 90th percentile — a $98,040 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $68,800, while senior aerospace engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $159,100. Lake Charles is a smaller market (pop. 80,000), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Lake Charles by Experience

In Lake Charles, an entry-level aerospace engineer earns around $68,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $159,100 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$68,800
$-11,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$110,080
$-17,920 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$159,100
$-25,900 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Percentile Lake Charles
10th Percentile $67,080
25th Percentile $86,000
Median (50th) $109,117
75th Percentile $137,600
90th Percentile $165,120

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$124,342
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$116,730
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$111,654
Pop. 121,374
Shreveport, LA
$107,848
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Aerospace Engineer in Lake Charles

Education

Most aerospace engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Lake Charles and the surrounding Louisiana area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

AerodynamicsCATIA/CADStructural AnalysisMATLABPropulsion SystemsFEA

Job Outlook

Nationally, aerospace engineer employment is projected to grow 6% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Lake Charles may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Aerospace Engineer Jobs in Lake Charles

Browse open aerospace engineer positions in Lake Charles, LA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Aerospace Engineer Salary in Lake Charles

How much does a Aerospace Engineer make in Lake Charles, LA? ▼
The median aerospace engineer salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana is $109,117 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $126,880. Salaries range from $67,080 (10th percentile) to $165,120 (90th percentile).
How much does a Aerospace Engineer make per hour in Lake Charles? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $109,117, a aerospace engineer in Lake Charles earns approximately $52 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lake Charles compare to the Louisiana state average for aerospace engineer pay? ▼
Lake Charles's median aerospace engineer salary of $109,117 is 5.5% below the Louisiana state average of $115,461. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Lake Charles, LA? ▼
Lake Charles has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a aerospace engineer salary of $109,117 in Lake Charles has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a aerospace engineer in Lake Charles? ▼
Most aerospace engineer positions in Lake Charles require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Aerodynamics, CATIA/CAD, Structural Analysis, MATLAB. The job market is projected to grow 6% nationally over the next decade.