Construction & Real Estate Lake Charles, LA Pop. 80,000

Interior Designer Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The median interior designer salary in Lake Charles, LA is $52,967 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 5.5% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$52,967
vs State Avg
$-3,080
vs National
$-8,623
Cost of Living
86%

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

Lake Charles offers a median interior designer salary of $52,967, which is $3,080 below the Louisiana state average of $56,047. Compared to the national median of $61,590, 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 $52,967 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $61,590 in an average-cost city. This makes Lake Charles an attractive option for interior designers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for interior designers in Lake Charles spans from $29,240 at the 10th percentile to $92,880 at the 90th percentile — a $63,640 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $30,960, while senior interior designers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $86,000. Lake Charles is a smaller market (pop. 80,000), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Interior Designer Salary in Lake Charles by Experience

In Lake Charles, an entry-level interior designer earns around $30,960, while experienced professionals earn up to $86,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$30,960
$-5,040 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$54,180
$-8,820 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$86,000
$-14,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Percentile Lake Charles
10th Percentile $29,240
25th Percentile $37,840
Median (50th) $52,967
75th Percentile $70,520
90th Percentile $92,880

Interior Designer Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$60,358
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$56,663
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$54,199
Pop. 121,374
Shreveport, LA
$52,352
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Interior Designer in Lake Charles

Education

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

Key Skills

Space PlanningAutoCAD/SketchUpColor TheoryMaterial SelectionProject ManagementClient Relations

Job Outlook

Nationally, interior designer employment is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Lake Charles may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Interior Designer Jobs in Lake Charles

Browse open interior designer positions in Lake Charles, LA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Interior Designer Salary in Lake Charles

How much does a Interior Designer make in Lake Charles, LA? ▼
The median interior designer salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana is $52,967 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $61,590. Salaries range from $29,240 (10th percentile) to $92,880 (90th percentile).
How much does a Interior Designer make per hour in Lake Charles? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $52,967, a interior designer in Lake Charles earns approximately $25 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lake Charles compare to the Louisiana state average for interior designer pay? ▼
Lake Charles's median interior designer salary of $52,967 is 5.5% below the Louisiana state average of $56,047. 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 interior designer salary of $52,967 in Lake Charles has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a interior designer in Lake Charles? ▼
Most interior designer positions in Lake Charles require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Space Planning, AutoCAD/SketchUp, Color Theory, Material Selection. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.