Media & Communications Lake Charles, LA Pop. 80,000

Broadcast Journalist Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The median broadcast journalist salary in Lake Charles, LA is $44,720 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 5.5% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$44,720
vs State Avg
$-2,600
vs National
$-7,280
Cost of Living
86%

Broadcast Journalist Pay in Lake Charles: What to Expect (2026)

Lake Charles offers a median broadcast journalist salary of $44,720, which is $2,600 below the Louisiana state average of $47,320. Compared to the national median of $52,000, 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 $44,720 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $52,000 in an average-cost city. This makes Lake Charles an attractive option for broadcast journalists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for broadcast journalists in Lake Charles spans from $25,800 at the 10th percentile to $86,000 at the 90th percentile — a $60,200 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $28,380, while senior broadcast journalists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $81,700. Lake Charles is a smaller market (pop. 80,000), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Broadcast Journalist Salary in Lake Charles by Experience

In Lake Charles, an entry-level broadcast journalist earns around $28,380, while experienced professionals earn up to $81,700 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$28,380
$-4,620 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$46,440
$-7,560 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$81,700
$-13,300 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Percentile Lake Charles
10th Percentile $25,800
25th Percentile $32,680
Median (50th) $44,720
75th Percentile $63,640
90th Percentile $86,000

Broadcast Journalist Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$50,960
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$47,840
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$45,760
Pop. 121,374
Shreveport, LA
$44,200
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Broadcast Journalist in Lake Charles

Education

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

Key Skills

On-Air PresentationInterviewingScript WritingVideo EditingResearchTeleprompter

Job Outlook

Nationally, broadcast journalist employment is projected to grow -4% over the next decade (decline). Demand in Lake Charles may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Broadcast Journalist Jobs in Lake Charles

Browse open broadcast journalist positions in Lake Charles, LA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Broadcast Journalist Salary in Lake Charles

How much does a Broadcast Journalist make in Lake Charles, LA? ▼
The median broadcast journalist salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana is $44,720 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $52,000. Salaries range from $25,800 (10th percentile) to $86,000 (90th percentile).
How much does a Broadcast Journalist make per hour in Lake Charles? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $44,720, a broadcast journalist in Lake Charles earns approximately $22 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lake Charles compare to the Louisiana state average for broadcast journalist pay? ▼
Lake Charles's median broadcast journalist salary of $44,720 is 5.5% below the Louisiana state average of $47,320. 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 broadcast journalist salary of $44,720 in Lake Charles has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a broadcast journalist in Lake Charles? ▼
Most broadcast journalist positions in Lake Charles require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include On-Air Presentation, Interviewing, Script Writing, Video Editing. The job market is projected to grow -4% nationally over the next decade.