Construction & Real Estate Lake Charles, LA Pop. 80,000

Architect Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The median architect salary in Lake Charles, LA is $71,242 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 5.5% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$71,242
vs State Avg
$-4,142
vs National
$-11,598
Cost of Living
86%

Architect Pay in Lake Charles: What to Expect (2026)

Lake Charles offers a median architect salary of $71,242, which is $4,142 below the Louisiana state average of $75,384. Compared to the national median of $82,840, 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 $71,242 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $82,840 in an average-cost city. This makes Lake Charles an attractive option for architects seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for architects in Lake Charles spans from $43,000 at the 10th percentile to $127,280 at the 90th percentile — a $84,280 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $44,720, while senior architects with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $120,400. Lake Charles is a smaller market (pop. 80,000), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Architect Salary in Lake Charles by Experience

In Lake Charles, an entry-level architect earns around $44,720, while experienced professionals earn up to $120,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$44,720
$-7,280 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$73,100
$-11,900 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$120,400
$-19,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Percentile Lake Charles
10th Percentile $43,000
25th Percentile $55,040
Median (50th) $71,242
75th Percentile $96,320
90th Percentile $127,280

Architect Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$81,183
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$76,213
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$72,899
Pop. 121,374
Shreveport, LA
$70,414
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Architect in Lake Charles

Education

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

Key Skills

AutoCAD/RevitBuilding DesignBuilding Codes3D ModelingProject ManagementSustainability

Job Outlook

Nationally, architect employment is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Lake Charles may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Architect Jobs in Lake Charles

Browse open architect positions in Lake Charles, LA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Architect Salary in Lake Charles

How much does a Architect make in Lake Charles, LA? ▼
The median architect salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana is $71,242 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $82,840. Salaries range from $43,000 (10th percentile) to $127,280 (90th percentile).
How much does a Architect make per hour in Lake Charles? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $71,242, a architect in Lake Charles earns approximately $34 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lake Charles compare to the Louisiana state average for architect pay? ▼
Lake Charles's median architect salary of $71,242 is 5.5% below the Louisiana state average of $75,384. 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 architect salary of $71,242 in Lake Charles has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a architect in Lake Charles? ▼
Most architect positions in Lake Charles require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include AutoCAD/Revit, Building Design, Building Codes, 3D Modeling. The job market is projected to grow 3% nationally over the next decade.