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

Financial Controller Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The median financial controller salary in Lake Charles, LA is $107,500 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 5.5% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$107,500
vs State Avg
$-6,250
vs National
$-17,500
Cost of Living
86%

Financial Controller Pay in Lake Charles: What to Expect (2026)

Lake Charles offers a median financial controller salary of $107,500, which is $6,250 below the Louisiana state average of $113,750. Compared to the national median of $125,000, 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 $107,500 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $125,000 in an average-cost city. This makes Lake Charles an attractive option for financial controllers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for financial controllers in Lake Charles spans from $67,080 at the 10th percentile to $170,280 at the 90th percentile — a $103,200 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $70,520, while senior financial controllers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $163,400. Lake Charles is a smaller market (pop. 80,000), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Financial Controller Salary in Lake Charles by Experience

In Lake Charles, an entry-level financial controller earns around $70,520, while experienced professionals earn up to $163,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$70,520
$-11,480 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$110,080
$-17,920 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$163,400
$-26,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Percentile Lake Charles
10th Percentile $67,080
25th Percentile $84,280
Median (50th) $107,500
75th Percentile $139,320
90th Percentile $170,280

Financial Controller Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$122,500
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$115,000
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$110,000
Pop. 121,374
Shreveport, LA
$106,250
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Financial Controller in Lake Charles

Education

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

Key Skills

Financial ReportingGAAPERP SystemsBudgetingTeam LeadershipTax Compliance

Job Outlook

Nationally, financial controller 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 Financial Controller Jobs in Lake Charles

Browse open financial controller positions in Lake Charles, LA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Financial Controller Salary in Lake Charles

How much does a Financial Controller make in Lake Charles, LA? ▼
The median financial controller salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana is $107,500 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $125,000. Salaries range from $67,080 (10th percentile) to $170,280 (90th percentile).
How much does a Financial Controller make per hour in Lake Charles? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $107,500, a financial controller in Lake Charles earns approximately $52 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lake Charles compare to the Louisiana state average for financial controller pay? ▼
Lake Charles's median financial controller salary of $107,500 is 5.5% below the Louisiana state average of $113,750. 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 financial controller salary of $107,500 in Lake Charles has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a financial controller in Lake Charles? ▼
Most financial controller positions in Lake Charles require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Financial Reporting, GAAP, ERP Systems, Budgeting. The job market is projected to grow 6% nationally over the next decade.