Construction & Real Estate Lake Charles, LA Pop. 80,000

Crane Operator Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The median crane operator salary in Lake Charles, LA is $55,341 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 5.5% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$55,341
vs State Avg
$-3,218
vs National
$-9,009
Cost of Living
86%

Crane Operator Salary in Lake Charles by Experience

In Lake Charles, an entry-level crane operator earns around $36,120, 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)
$36,120
$-5,880 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$56,760
$-9,240 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$81,700
$-13,300 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Percentile Lake Charles
10th Percentile $34,400
25th Percentile $43,000
Median (50th) $55,341
75th Percentile $70,520
90th Percentile $86,000

Crane Operator Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$63,063
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$59,202
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$56,628
Pop. 121,374
Shreveport, LA
$54,698
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Crane Operator in Lake Charles

Education

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

Key Skills

Crane OperationLoad CalculationSafety ProtocolsCommunicationEquipment InspectionNCCCO Certification

Job Outlook

Nationally, crane operator employment is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Lake Charles may vary based on local industry and population growth.