Agriculture & Environment Lake Charles, LA Pop. 80,000

Forester Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The median forester salary in Lake Charles, LA is $54,859 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 5.5% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$54,859
vs State Avg
$-3,190
vs National
$-8,931
Cost of Living
86%

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

Lake Charles offers a median forester salary of $54,859, which is $3,190 below the Louisiana state average of $58,049. Compared to the national median of $63,790, 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 $54,859 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $63,790 in an average-cost city. This makes Lake Charles an attractive option for foresters seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for foresters in Lake Charles spans from $36,120 at the 10th percentile to $87,720 at the 90th percentile — a $51,600 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $37,840, while senior foresters with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $81,700. Lake Charles is a smaller market (pop. 80,000), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Forester Salary in Lake Charles by Experience

In Lake Charles, an entry-level forester earns around $37,840, while experienced professionals earn up to $81,700 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$37,840
$-6,160 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$55,900
$-9,100 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$81,700
$-13,300 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Percentile Lake Charles
10th Percentile $36,120
25th Percentile $43,860
Median (50th) $54,859
75th Percentile $70,520
90th Percentile $87,720

Forester Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$62,514
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$58,687
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$56,135
Pop. 121,374
Shreveport, LA
$54,222
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Forester in Lake Charles

Education

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

Key Skills

Forest ManagementGIS/GPSTimber CruisingEcologyFire ManagementEnvironmental Law

Job Outlook

Nationally, forester employment is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Lake Charles may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Forester Jobs in Lake Charles

Browse open forester positions in Lake Charles, LA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Forester Salary in Lake Charles

How much does a Forester make in Lake Charles, LA? ▼
The median forester salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana is $54,859 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $63,790. Salaries range from $36,120 (10th percentile) to $87,720 (90th percentile).
How much does a Forester make per hour in Lake Charles? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $54,859, a forester in Lake Charles earns approximately $26 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lake Charles compare to the Louisiana state average for forester pay? ▼
Lake Charles's median forester salary of $54,859 is 5.5% below the Louisiana state average of $58,049. 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 forester salary of $54,859 in Lake Charles has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a forester in Lake Charles? ▼
Most forester positions in Lake Charles require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Forest Management, GIS/GPS, Timber Cruising, Ecology. The job market is projected to grow 3% nationally over the next decade.