Engineering Lake Charles, LA Pop. 80,000

Chemical Engineer Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The median chemical engineer salary in Lake Charles, LA is $91,384 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 5.5% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$91,384
vs State Avg
$-5,313
vs National
$-14,876
Cost of Living
86%

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

Lake Charles offers a median chemical engineer salary of $91,384, which is $5,313 below the Louisiana state average of $96,697. Compared to the national median of $106,260, 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 $91,384 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $106,260 in an average-cost city. This makes Lake Charles an attractive option for chemical engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for chemical engineers in Lake Charles spans from $58,480 at the 10th percentile to $147,920 at the 90th percentile — a $89,440 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $60,200, while senior chemical engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $139,320. Lake Charles is a smaller market (pop. 80,000), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Chemical Engineer Salary in Lake Charles by Experience

In Lake Charles, an entry-level chemical engineer earns around $60,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $139,320 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$60,200
$-9,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$92,880
$-15,120 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$139,320
$-22,680 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Percentile Lake Charles
10th Percentile $58,480
25th Percentile $72,240
Median (50th) $91,384
75th Percentile $118,680
90th Percentile $147,920

Chemical Engineer Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$104,135
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$97,759
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$93,509
Pop. 121,374
Shreveport, LA
$90,321
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Chemical Engineer in Lake Charles

Education

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

Key Skills

Process EngineeringChemical ProcessesASPENSafety EngineeringQuality ControlThermodynamics

Job Outlook

Nationally, chemical engineer employment is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Lake Charles may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Chemical Engineer Jobs in Lake Charles

Browse open chemical engineer positions in Lake Charles, LA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Chemical Engineer Salary in Lake Charles

How much does a Chemical Engineer make in Lake Charles, LA? ▼
The median chemical engineer salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana is $91,384 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $106,260. Salaries range from $58,480 (10th percentile) to $147,920 (90th percentile).
How much does a Chemical Engineer make per hour in Lake Charles? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $91,384, a chemical engineer in Lake Charles earns approximately $44 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lake Charles compare to the Louisiana state average for chemical engineer pay? ▼
Lake Charles's median chemical engineer salary of $91,384 is 5.5% below the Louisiana state average of $96,697. 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 chemical engineer salary of $91,384 in Lake Charles has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a chemical engineer in Lake Charles? ▼
Most chemical engineer positions in Lake Charles require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Process Engineering, Chemical Processes, ASPEN, Safety Engineering. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.