Media & Communications Lake Charles, LA Pop. 80,000

Interpreter Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The median interpreter salary in Lake Charles, LA is $49,097 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 5.5% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$49,097
vs State Avg
$-2,855
vs National
$-7,993
Cost of Living
86%

Interpreter Salary in Lake Charles by Experience

In Lake Charles, an entry-level interpreter earns around $30,100, while experienced professionals earn up to $81,700 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$30,100
$-4,900 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$49,880
$-8,120 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$81,700
$-13,300 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Percentile Lake Charles
10th Percentile $27,520
25th Percentile $36,120
Median (50th) $49,097
75th Percentile $67,080
90th Percentile $86,860

Interpreter Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$55,948
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$52,523
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$50,239
Pop. 121,374
Shreveport, LA
$48,527
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Interpreter in Lake Charles

Education

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

Key Skills

Bilingual FluencyConsecutive InterpretingSimultaneous InterpretingCultural CompetencyMemoryProfessionalism

Job Outlook

Nationally, interpreter 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.