Engineering Lake Charles, LA Pop. 80,000

Industrial Engineer Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The median industrial engineer salary in Lake Charles, LA is $81,958 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 5.5% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$81,958
vs State Avg
$-4,765
vs National
$-13,342
Cost of Living
86%

Industrial Engineer Pay in Lake Charles: What to Expect (2026)

Lake Charles offers a median industrial engineer salary of $81,958, which is $4,765 below the Louisiana state average of $86,723. Compared to the national median of $95,300, 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 $81,958 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $95,300 in an average-cost city. This makes Lake Charles an attractive option for industrial engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for industrial engineers in Lake Charles spans from $52,460 at the 10th percentile to $127,280 at the 90th percentile — a $74,820 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $55,040, while senior industrial engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $122,120. Lake Charles is a smaller market (pop. 80,000), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Industrial Engineer Salary in Lake Charles by Experience

In Lake Charles, an entry-level industrial engineer earns around $55,040, while experienced professionals earn up to $122,120 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$55,040
$-8,960 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$82,560
$-13,440 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$122,120
$-19,880 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Percentile Lake Charles
10th Percentile $52,460
25th Percentile $65,360
Median (50th) $81,958
75th Percentile $103,200
90th Percentile $127,280

Industrial Engineer Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

How to Become a Industrial Engineer in Lake Charles

Education

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

Key Skills

Lean ManufacturingSix SigmaProcess OptimizationAutoCADStatistical AnalysisOperations Research

Job Outlook

Nationally, industrial engineer employment is projected to grow 12% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Lake Charles may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Industrial Engineer Jobs in Lake Charles

Browse open industrial engineer positions in Lake Charles, LA:

Frequently Asked Questions: Industrial Engineer Salary in Lake Charles

How much does a Industrial Engineer make in Lake Charles, LA? ▼
The median industrial engineer salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana is $81,958 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $95,300. Salaries range from $52,460 (10th percentile) to $127,280 (90th percentile).
How much does a Industrial Engineer make per hour in Lake Charles? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $81,958, a industrial engineer in Lake Charles earns approximately $39 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lake Charles compare to the Louisiana state average for industrial engineer pay? ▼
Lake Charles's median industrial engineer salary of $81,958 is 5.5% below the Louisiana state average of $86,723. 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 industrial engineer salary of $81,958 in Lake Charles has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a industrial engineer in Lake Charles? ▼
Most industrial engineer positions in Lake Charles require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Process Optimization, AutoCAD. The job market is projected to grow 12% nationally over the next decade.