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

Journalist Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The median journalist salary in Lake Charles, LA is $48,126 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 5.5% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$48,126
vs State Avg
$-2,798
vs National
$-7,834
Cost of Living
86%

Journalist Salary in Lake Charles by Experience

In Lake Charles, an entry-level journalist earns around $30,100, 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)
$30,100
$-4,900 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$49,880
$-8,120 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$86,000
$-14,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Percentile Lake Charles
10th Percentile $27,520
25th Percentile $34,400
Median (50th) $48,126
75th Percentile $67,080
90th Percentile $94,600

Journalist Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$54,841
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$51,483
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$49,245
Pop. 121,374
Shreveport, LA
$47,566
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Journalist in Lake Charles

Education

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

Key Skills

WritingInvestigative ResearchInterviewingAP StyleCMS PlatformsSocial Media

Job Outlook

Nationally, journalist employment is projected to grow -3% over the next decade (decline). Demand in Lake Charles may vary based on local industry and population growth.