Science & Research Lake Charles, LA Pop. 80,000

Epidemiologist Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The median epidemiologist salary in Lake Charles, LA is $67,527 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 5.5% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$67,527
vs State Avg
$-3,926
vs National
$-10,993
Cost of Living
86%

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

Lake Charles offers a median epidemiologist salary of $67,527, which is $3,926 below the Louisiana state average of $71,453. Compared to the national median of $78,520, 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 $67,527 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $78,520 in an average-cost city. This makes Lake Charles an attractive option for epidemiologists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for epidemiologists in Lake Charles spans from $43,000 at the 10th percentile to $108,360 at the 90th percentile — a $65,360 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $44,720, while senior epidemiologists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $103,200. Lake Charles is a smaller market (pop. 80,000), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Epidemiologist Salary in Lake Charles by Experience

In Lake Charles, an entry-level epidemiologist earns around $44,720, while experienced professionals earn up to $103,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$44,720
$-7,280 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$68,800
$-11,200 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$103,200
$-16,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Percentile Lake Charles
10th Percentile $43,000
25th Percentile $53,320
Median (50th) $67,527
75th Percentile $86,860
90th Percentile $108,360

Epidemiologist Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$76,950
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$72,238
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$69,098
Pop. 121,374
Shreveport, LA
$66,742
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Epidemiologist in Lake Charles

Education

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

Key Skills

EpidemiologyBiostatisticsSAS/RDisease SurveillanceResearch MethodsPublic Health

Job Outlook

Nationally, epidemiologist employment is projected to grow 27% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Lake Charles may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Epidemiologist Jobs in Lake Charles

Browse open epidemiologist positions in Lake Charles, LA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Epidemiologist Salary in Lake Charles

How much does a Epidemiologist make in Lake Charles, LA? ▼
The median epidemiologist salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana is $67,527 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $78,520. Salaries range from $43,000 (10th percentile) to $108,360 (90th percentile).
How much does a Epidemiologist make per hour in Lake Charles? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $67,527, a epidemiologist in Lake Charles earns approximately $32 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lake Charles compare to the Louisiana state average for epidemiologist pay? ▼
Lake Charles's median epidemiologist salary of $67,527 is 5.5% below the Louisiana state average of $71,453. 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 epidemiologist salary of $67,527 in Lake Charles has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a epidemiologist in Lake Charles? ▼
Most epidemiologist positions in Lake Charles require a master's degree. Key skills include Epidemiology, Biostatistics, SAS/R, Disease Surveillance. The job market is projected to grow 27% nationally over the next decade.