Engineering Lake Charles, LA Pop. 80,000

Environmental Engineer Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The median environmental engineer salary in Lake Charles, LA is $83,265 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 5.5% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$83,265
vs State Avg
$-4,841
vs National
$-13,555
Cost of Living
86%

Environmental Engineer Pay in Lake Charles: What to Expect (2026)

Lake Charles offers a median environmental engineer salary of $83,265, which is $4,841 below the Louisiana state average of $88,106. Compared to the national median of $96,820, 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 $83,265 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $96,820 in an average-cost city. This makes Lake Charles an attractive option for environmental engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for environmental engineers in Lake Charles spans from $52,460 at the 10th percentile to $127,280 at the 90th percentile — a $74,820 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $55,040, while senior environmental engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $122,120. Lake Charles is a smaller market (pop. 80,000), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Environmental Engineer Salary in Lake Charles by Experience

In Lake Charles, an entry-level environmental engineer earns around $55,040, while experienced professionals earn up to $122,120 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$55,040
$-8,960 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$84,280
$-13,720 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$122,120
$-19,880 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Percentile Lake Charles
10th Percentile $52,460
25th Percentile $65,360
Median (50th) $83,265
75th Percentile $104,920
90th Percentile $127,280

Environmental Engineer Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$94,884
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$89,074
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$85,202
Pop. 121,374
Shreveport, LA
$82,297
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Environmental Engineer in Lake Charles

Education

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

Key Skills

Environmental RemediationWater TreatmentAir QualityEPA RegulationsGISProject Management

Job Outlook

Nationally, environmental engineer 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 Environmental Engineer Jobs in Lake Charles

Browse open environmental engineer positions in Lake Charles, LA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Environmental Engineer Salary in Lake Charles

How much does a Environmental Engineer make in Lake Charles, LA? ▼
The median environmental engineer salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana is $83,265 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $96,820. Salaries range from $52,460 (10th percentile) to $127,280 (90th percentile).
How much does a Environmental Engineer make per hour in Lake Charles? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $83,265, a environmental engineer in Lake Charles earns approximately $40 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lake Charles compare to the Louisiana state average for environmental engineer pay? ▼
Lake Charles's median environmental engineer salary of $83,265 is 5.5% below the Louisiana state average of $88,106. 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 environmental engineer salary of $83,265 in Lake Charles has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a environmental engineer in Lake Charles? ▼
Most environmental engineer positions in Lake Charles require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Environmental Remediation, Water Treatment, Air Quality, EPA Regulations. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.