Business & Finance Lake Charles, LA Pop. 80,000

Economist Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The median economist salary in Lake Charles, LA is $97,988 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 5.5% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$97,988
vs State Avg
$-5,697
vs National
$-15,952
Cost of Living
86%

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

Lake Charles offers a median economist salary of $97,988, which is $5,697 below the Louisiana state average of $103,685. Compared to the national median of $113,940, 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 $97,988 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $113,940 in an average-cost city. This makes Lake Charles an attractive option for economists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for economists in Lake Charles spans from $53,320 at the 10th percentile to $170,280 at the 90th percentile — a $116,960 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $55,900, while senior economists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $159,100. Lake Charles is a smaller market (pop. 80,000), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Economist Salary in Lake Charles by Experience

In Lake Charles, an entry-level economist earns around $55,900, while experienced professionals earn up to $159,100 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$55,900
$-9,100 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$98,900
$-16,100 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$159,100
$-25,900 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Percentile Lake Charles
10th Percentile $53,320
25th Percentile $70,520
Median (50th) $97,988
75th Percentile $133,300
90th Percentile $170,280

Economist Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$111,661
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$104,825
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$100,267
Pop. 121,374
Shreveport, LA
$96,849
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Economist in Lake Charles

Education

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

Key Skills

EconometricsStatistical AnalysisR/PythonEconomic ModelingResearch MethodsPolicy Analysis

Job Outlook

Nationally, economist employment is projected to grow 6% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Lake Charles may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Economist Jobs in Lake Charles

Browse open economist positions in Lake Charles, LA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Economist Salary in Lake Charles

How much does a Economist make in Lake Charles, LA? ▼
The median economist salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana is $97,988 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $113,940. Salaries range from $53,320 (10th percentile) to $170,280 (90th percentile).
How much does a Economist make per hour in Lake Charles? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $97,988, a economist in Lake Charles earns approximately $47 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lake Charles compare to the Louisiana state average for economist pay? ▼
Lake Charles's median economist salary of $97,988 is 5.5% below the Louisiana state average of $103,685. 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 economist salary of $97,988 in Lake Charles has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a economist in Lake Charles? ▼
Most economist positions in Lake Charles require a master's degree. Key skills include Econometrics, Statistical Analysis, R/Python, Economic Modeling. The job market is projected to grow 6% nationally over the next decade.