Science & Research Lake Charles, LA Pop. 80,000

Chemist Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The median chemist salary in Lake Charles, LA is $71,199 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 5.5% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$71,199
vs State Avg
$-4,140
vs National
$-11,591
Cost of Living
86%

Chemist Salary in Lake Charles by Experience

In Lake Charles, an entry-level chemist earns around $43,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $116,100 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$43,000
$-7,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$72,240
$-11,760 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$116,100
$-18,900 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Percentile Lake Charles
10th Percentile $41,280
25th Percentile $53,320
Median (50th) $71,199
75th Percentile $93,740
90th Percentile $122,120

Chemist Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$81,134
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$76,167
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$72,855
Pop. 121,374
Shreveport, LA
$70,372
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Chemist in Lake Charles

Education

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

Key Skills

Analytical ChemistryLab TechniquesSpectroscopyHPLCQuality ControlResearch Methods

Job Outlook

Nationally, chemist employment is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Lake Charles may vary based on local industry and population growth.