Creative & Education Lake Charles, LA Pop. 80,000

Graphic Designer Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The median graphic designer salary in Lake Charles, LA is $49,871 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 5.5% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$49,871
vs State Avg
$-2,900
vs National
$-8,119
Cost of Living
86%

Graphic Designer Pay in Lake Charles: What to Expect (2026)

Lake Charles offers a median graphic designer salary of $49,871, which is $2,900 below the Louisiana state average of $52,771. Compared to the national median of $57,990, 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 $49,871 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $57,990 in an average-cost city. This makes Lake Charles an attractive option for graphic designers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for graphic designers in Lake Charles spans from $31,304 at the 10th percentile to $84,452 at the 90th percentile — a $53,148 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $32,680, while senior graphic designers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $75,680. Lake Charles is a smaller market (pop. 80,000), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Graphic Designer Salary in Lake Charles by Experience

In Lake Charles, an entry-level graphic designer earns around $32,680, while experienced professionals earn up to $75,680 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$32,680
$-5,320 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$49,880
$-8,120 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$75,680
$-12,320 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Percentile Lake Charles
10th Percentile $31,304
25th Percentile $39,044
Median (50th) $49,871
75th Percentile $64,156
90th Percentile $84,452

Graphic Designer Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$56,830
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$53,351
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$51,031
Pop. 121,374
Shreveport, LA
$49,292
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Graphic Designer in Lake Charles

Education

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

Key Skills

Adobe Creative SuiteTypographyLayout DesignColor TheoryBrandingUI Design

Job Outlook

Nationally, graphic designer 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 Graphic Designer Jobs in Lake Charles

Browse open graphic designer positions in Lake Charles, LA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Graphic Designer Salary in Lake Charles

How much does a Graphic Designer make in Lake Charles, LA? ▼
The median graphic designer salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana is $49,871 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $57,990. Salaries range from $31,304 (10th percentile) to $84,452 (90th percentile).
How much does a Graphic Designer make per hour in Lake Charles? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $49,871, a graphic designer in Lake Charles earns approximately $24 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lake Charles compare to the Louisiana state average for graphic designer pay? ▼
Lake Charles's median graphic designer salary of $49,871 is 5.5% below the Louisiana state average of $52,771. 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 graphic designer salary of $49,871 in Lake Charles has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a graphic designer in Lake Charles? ▼
Most graphic designer positions in Lake Charles require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Adobe Creative Suite, Typography, Layout Design, Color Theory. The job market is projected to grow 3% nationally over the next decade.