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

Instructional Designer Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The median instructional designer salary in Lake Charles, LA is $61,920 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 5.5% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$61,920
vs State Avg
$-3,600
vs National
$-10,080
Cost of Living
86%

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

Lake Charles offers a median instructional designer salary of $61,920, which is $3,600 below the Louisiana state average of $65,520. Compared to the national median of $72,000, 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 $61,920 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $72,000 in an average-cost city. This makes Lake Charles an attractive option for instructional designers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for instructional designers in Lake Charles spans from $37,840 at the 10th percentile to $101,480 at the 90th percentile — a $63,640 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $39,560, while senior instructional designers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $96,320. Lake Charles is a smaller market (pop. 80,000), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Instructional Designer Salary in Lake Charles by Experience

In Lake Charles, an entry-level instructional designer earns around $39,560, while experienced professionals earn up to $96,320 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$39,560
$-6,440 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$63,640
$-10,360 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$96,320
$-15,680 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Percentile Lake Charles
10th Percentile $37,840
25th Percentile $48,160
Median (50th) $61,920
75th Percentile $81,700
90th Percentile $101,480

Instructional Designer Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$70,560
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$66,240
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$63,360
Pop. 121,374
Shreveport, LA
$61,200
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Instructional Designer in Lake Charles

Education

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

Key Skills

Instructional DesignArticulate/CaptivateLMSADDIE ModelE-LearningAssessment Design

Job Outlook

Nationally, instructional designer employment is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Lake Charles may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Instructional Designer Jobs in Lake Charles

Browse open instructional designer positions in Lake Charles, LA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Instructional Designer Salary in Lake Charles

How much does a Instructional Designer make in Lake Charles, LA? ▼
The median instructional designer salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana is $61,920 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $72,000. Salaries range from $37,840 (10th percentile) to $101,480 (90th percentile).
How much does a Instructional Designer make per hour in Lake Charles? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $61,920, a instructional designer in Lake Charles earns approximately $30 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lake Charles compare to the Louisiana state average for instructional designer pay? ▼
Lake Charles's median instructional designer salary of $61,920 is 5.5% below the Louisiana state average of $65,520. 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 instructional designer salary of $61,920 in Lake Charles has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a instructional designer in Lake Charles? ▼
Most instructional designer positions in Lake Charles require a master's degree. Key skills include Instructional Design, Articulate/Captivate, LMS, ADDIE Model. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.