Trades & Labor Lake Charles, LA Pop. 80,000

Carpenter Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The median carpenter salary in Lake Charles, LA is $46,765 per year, which is 9% below the national median and 5.2% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$46,765
vs State Avg
$-2,569
vs National
$-4,625
Cost of Living
86%

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

Lake Charles offers a median carpenter salary of $46,765, which is $2,569 below the Louisiana state average of $49,334. Compared to the national median of $51,390, 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 $46,765 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $54,378 in an average-cost city. This makes Lake Charles an attractive option for carpenters seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for carpenters in Lake Charles spans from $31,304 at the 10th percentile to $74,802 at the 90th percentile — a $43,498 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $29,120, while senior carpenters with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $70,980. Lake Charles is a smaller market (pop. 80,000), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Carpenter Salary in Lake Charles by Experience

In Lake Charles, an entry-level carpenter earns around $29,120, while experienced professionals earn up to $70,980 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$29,120
$-2,880 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$47,320
$-4,680 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$70,980
$-7,020 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Percentile Lake Charles
10th Percentile $31,304
25th Percentile $37,674
Median (50th) $46,765
75th Percentile $59,150
90th Percentile $74,802

Carpenter Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$52,932
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$49,848
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$47,793
Pop. 121,374
Shreveport, LA
$46,251
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Carpenter in Lake Charles

Education

Most carpenter positions require a high school diploma. Lake Charles and the surrounding Louisiana area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

FramingBlueprint ReadingPower ToolsMeasurementBuilding CodeFinish Carpentry

Job Outlook

Nationally, carpenter employment is projected to grow 2% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Lake Charles may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Carpenter Jobs in Lake Charles

Browse open carpenter positions in Lake Charles, LA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Carpenter Salary in Lake Charles

How much does a Carpenter make in Lake Charles, LA? ▼
The median carpenter salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana is $46,765 per year, which is 9% below the national median of $51,390. Salaries range from $31,304 (10th percentile) to $74,802 (90th percentile).
How much does a Carpenter make per hour in Lake Charles? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $46,765, a carpenter 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 carpenter pay? ▼
Lake Charles's median carpenter salary of $46,765 is 5.2% below the Louisiana state average of $49,334. 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 carpenter salary of $46,765 in Lake Charles has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a carpenter in Lake Charles? ▼
Most carpenter positions in Lake Charles require a high school diploma. Key skills include Framing, Blueprint Reading, Power Tools, Measurement. The job market is projected to grow 2% nationally over the next decade.