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 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.