Healthcare Lake Charles, LA Pop. 80,000

Dentist Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The median dentist salary in Lake Charles, LA is $137,918 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 5.5% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$137,918
vs State Avg
$-8,019
vs National
$-22,452
Cost of Living
86%

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

Lake Charles offers a median dentist salary of $137,918, which is $8,019 below the Louisiana state average of $145,937. Compared to the national median of $160,370, 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 $137,918 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $160,370 in an average-cost city. This makes Lake Charles an attractive option for dentists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for dentists in Lake Charles spans from $68,800 at the 10th percentile to $216,720 at the 90th percentile — a $147,920 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $73,100, while senior dentists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $202,100. Lake Charles is a smaller market (pop. 80,000), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Dentist Salary in Lake Charles by Experience

In Lake Charles, an entry-level dentist earns around $73,100, while experienced professionals earn up to $202,100 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$73,100
$-11,900 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$139,320
$-22,680 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$202,100
$-32,900 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Percentile Lake Charles
10th Percentile $68,800
25th Percentile $98,900
Median (50th) $137,918
75th Percentile $178,880
90th Percentile $216,720

Dentist Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$157,163
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$147,540
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$141,126
Pop. 121,374
Shreveport, LA
$136,315
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Dentist in Lake Charles

Education

Most dentist positions require a doctoral degree. Lake Charles and the surrounding Louisiana area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Dental ProceduresRadiographyPatient ManagementOral SurgeryProsthodonticsAnesthesia

Job Outlook

Nationally, dentist 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.

Find Dentist Jobs in Lake Charles

Browse open dentist positions in Lake Charles, LA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Dentist Salary in Lake Charles

How much does a Dentist make in Lake Charles, LA? ▼
The median dentist salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana is $137,918 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $160,370. Salaries range from $68,800 (10th percentile) to $216,720 (90th percentile).
How much does a Dentist make per hour in Lake Charles? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $137,918, a dentist in Lake Charles earns approximately $66 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lake Charles compare to the Louisiana state average for dentist pay? ▼
Lake Charles's median dentist salary of $137,918 is 5.5% below the Louisiana state average of $145,937. 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 dentist salary of $137,918 in Lake Charles has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a dentist in Lake Charles? ▼
Most dentist positions in Lake Charles require a doctoral degree. Key skills include Dental Procedures, Radiography, Patient Management, Oral Surgery. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.