Public Service Lake Charles, LA Pop. 80,000

Correctional Officer Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The median correctional officer salary in Lake Charles, LA is $42,665 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 5.5% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$42,665
vs State Avg
$-2,480
vs National
$-6,945
Cost of Living
86%

Correctional Officer Pay in Lake Charles: What to Expect (2026)

Lake Charles offers a median correctional officer salary of $42,665, which is $2,480 below the Louisiana state average of $45,145. Compared to the national median of $49,610, 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 $42,665 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $49,610 in an average-cost city. This makes Lake Charles an attractive option for correctional officers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for correctional officers in Lake Charles spans from $28,380 at the 10th percentile to $67,080 at the 90th percentile — a $38,700 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $30,100, while senior correctional officers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $61,920. Lake Charles is a smaller market (pop. 80,000), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Correctional Officer Salary in Lake Charles by Experience

In Lake Charles, an entry-level correctional officer earns around $30,100, while experienced professionals earn up to $61,920 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$30,100
$-4,900 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$43,000
$-7,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$61,920
$-10,080 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Percentile Lake Charles
10th Percentile $28,380
25th Percentile $33,540
Median (50th) $42,665
75th Percentile $54,180
90th Percentile $67,080

Correctional Officer Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$48,618
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$45,641
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$43,657
Pop. 121,374
Shreveport, LA
$42,169
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Correctional Officer in Lake Charles

Education

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

Key Skills

SecurityConflict ResolutionReport WritingPhysical FitnessCommunicationCrisis Management

Job Outlook

Nationally, correctional officer employment is projected to grow -2% over the next decade (decline). Demand in Lake Charles may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Correctional Officer Jobs in Lake Charles

Browse open correctional officer positions in Lake Charles, LA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Correctional Officer Salary in Lake Charles

How much does a Correctional Officer make in Lake Charles, LA? ▼
The median correctional officer salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana is $42,665 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $49,610. Salaries range from $28,380 (10th percentile) to $67,080 (90th percentile).
How much does a Correctional Officer make per hour in Lake Charles? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $42,665, a correctional officer in Lake Charles earns approximately $21 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lake Charles compare to the Louisiana state average for correctional officer pay? ▼
Lake Charles's median correctional officer salary of $42,665 is 5.5% below the Louisiana state average of $45,145. 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 correctional officer salary of $42,665 in Lake Charles has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a correctional officer in Lake Charles? ▼
Most correctional officer positions in Lake Charles require a high school diploma. Key skills include Security, Conflict Resolution, Report Writing, Physical Fitness. The job market is projected to grow -2% nationally over the next decade.