Business & Finance Lake Charles, LA Pop. 80,000

Insurance Underwriter Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The median insurance underwriter salary in Lake Charles, LA is $66,960 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 5.5% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$66,960
vs State Avg
$-3,893
vs National
$-10,900
Cost of Living
86%

Insurance Underwriter Pay in Lake Charles: What to Expect (2026)

Lake Charles offers a median insurance underwriter salary of $66,960, which is $3,893 below the Louisiana state average of $70,853. Compared to the national median of $77,860, 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 $66,960 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $77,860 in an average-cost city. This makes Lake Charles an attractive option for insurance underwriters seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for insurance underwriters in Lake Charles spans from $41,796 at the 10th percentile to $108,704 at the 90th percentile — a $66,908 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $43,000, while senior insurance underwriters with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $98,900. Lake Charles is a smaller market (pop. 80,000), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Insurance Underwriter Salary in Lake Charles by Experience

In Lake Charles, an entry-level insurance underwriter earns around $43,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $98,900 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$43,000
$-7,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$67,080
$-10,920 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$98,900
$-16,100 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Percentile Lake Charles
10th Percentile $41,796
25th Percentile $52,632
Median (50th) $66,960
75th Percentile $86,000
90th Percentile $108,704

Insurance Underwriter Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$76,303
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$71,631
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$68,517
Pop. 121,374
Shreveport, LA
$66,181
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Insurance Underwriter in Lake Charles

Education

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

Key Skills

Risk AssessmentAnalytical SkillsInsurance RegulationsUnderwriting SoftwareDecision-MakingAttention to Detail

Job Outlook

Nationally, insurance underwriter employment is projected to grow -2% over the next decade (decline). Demand in Lake Charles may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Insurance Underwriter Jobs in Lake Charles

Browse open insurance underwriter positions in Lake Charles, LA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Insurance Underwriter Salary in Lake Charles

How much does a Insurance Underwriter make in Lake Charles, LA? ▼
The median insurance underwriter salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana is $66,960 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $77,860. Salaries range from $41,796 (10th percentile) to $108,704 (90th percentile).
How much does a Insurance Underwriter make per hour in Lake Charles? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $66,960, a insurance underwriter in Lake Charles earns approximately $32 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lake Charles compare to the Louisiana state average for insurance underwriter pay? ▼
Lake Charles's median insurance underwriter salary of $66,960 is 5.5% below the Louisiana state average of $70,853. 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 insurance underwriter salary of $66,960 in Lake Charles has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a insurance underwriter in Lake Charles? ▼
Most insurance underwriter positions in Lake Charles require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Risk Assessment, Analytical Skills, Insurance Regulations, Underwriting Software. The job market is projected to grow -2% nationally over the next decade.