Agriculture & Environment Lake Charles, LA Pop. 80,000

Agricultural Scientist Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The median agricultural scientist salary in Lake Charles, LA is $63,778 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 5.5% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$63,778
vs State Avg
$-3,708
vs National
$-10,382
Cost of Living
86%

Agricultural Scientist Pay in Lake Charles: What to Expect (2026)

Lake Charles offers a median agricultural scientist salary of $63,778, which is $3,708 below the Louisiana state average of $67,486. Compared to the national median of $74,160, 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 $63,778 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $74,160 in an average-cost city. This makes Lake Charles an attractive option for agricultural scientists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for agricultural scientists in Lake Charles spans from $37,840 at the 10th percentile to $104,920 at the 90th percentile — a $67,080 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $41,280, while senior agricultural scientists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $98,900. Lake Charles is a smaller market (pop. 80,000), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Agricultural Scientist Salary in Lake Charles by Experience

In Lake Charles, an entry-level agricultural scientist earns around $41,280, while experienced professionals earn up to $98,900 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$41,280
$-6,720 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$65,360
$-10,640 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$98,900
$-16,100 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Percentile Lake Charles
10th Percentile $37,840
25th Percentile $48,160
Median (50th) $63,778
75th Percentile $84,280
90th Percentile $104,920

Agricultural Scientist Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$72,677
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$68,227
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$65,261
Pop. 121,374
Shreveport, LA
$63,036
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Agricultural Scientist in Lake Charles

Education

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

Key Skills

AgronomyResearch MethodsData AnalysisSoil ScienceGeneticsScientific Writing

Job Outlook

Nationally, agricultural scientist 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 Agricultural Scientist Jobs in Lake Charles

Browse open agricultural scientist positions in Lake Charles, LA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Agricultural Scientist Salary in Lake Charles

How much does a Agricultural Scientist make in Lake Charles, LA? ▼
The median agricultural scientist salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana is $63,778 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $74,160. Salaries range from $37,840 (10th percentile) to $104,920 (90th percentile).
How much does a Agricultural Scientist make per hour in Lake Charles? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $63,778, a agricultural scientist in Lake Charles earns approximately $31 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lake Charles compare to the Louisiana state average for agricultural scientist pay? ▼
Lake Charles's median agricultural scientist salary of $63,778 is 5.5% below the Louisiana state average of $67,486. 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 agricultural scientist salary of $63,778 in Lake Charles has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a agricultural scientist in Lake Charles? ▼
Most agricultural scientist positions in Lake Charles require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Agronomy, Research Methods, Data Analysis, Soil Science. The job market is projected to grow 6% nationally over the next decade.