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

Librarian Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The median librarian salary in Lake Charles, LA is $52,623 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 5.5% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$52,623
vs State Avg
$-3,060
vs National
$-8,567
Cost of Living
86%

Librarian Pay in Lake Charles: What to Expect (2026)

Lake Charles offers a median librarian salary of $52,623, which is $3,060 below the Louisiana state average of $55,683. Compared to the national median of $61,190, 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 $52,623 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $61,190 in an average-cost city. This makes Lake Charles an attractive option for librarians seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for librarians in Lake Charles spans from $33,712 at the 10th percentile to $83,076 at the 90th percentile — a $49,364 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $36,120, while senior librarians with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $75,680. Lake Charles is a smaller market (pop. 80,000), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Librarian Salary in Lake Charles by Experience

In Lake Charles, an entry-level librarian earns around $36,120, while experienced professionals earn up to $75,680 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$36,120
$-5,880 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$53,320
$-8,680 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$75,680
$-12,320 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Percentile Lake Charles
10th Percentile $33,712
25th Percentile $42,140
Median (50th) $52,623
75th Percentile $66,392
90th Percentile $83,076

Librarian Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$59,966
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$56,295
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$53,847
Pop. 121,374
Shreveport, LA
$52,012
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Librarian in Lake Charles

Education

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

Key Skills

Information ScienceResearchCatalogingCommunity ProgrammingDigital LiteracyDatabase Management

Job Outlook

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

Find Librarian Jobs in Lake Charles

Browse open librarian positions in Lake Charles, LA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Librarian Salary in Lake Charles

How much does a Librarian make in Lake Charles, LA? ▼
The median librarian salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana is $52,623 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $61,190. Salaries range from $33,712 (10th percentile) to $83,076 (90th percentile).
How much does a Librarian make per hour in Lake Charles? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $52,623, a librarian 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 librarian pay? ▼
Lake Charles's median librarian salary of $52,623 is 5.5% below the Louisiana state average of $55,683. 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 librarian salary of $52,623 in Lake Charles has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a librarian in Lake Charles? ▼
Most librarian positions in Lake Charles require a master's degree. Key skills include Information Science, Research, Cataloging, Community Programming. The job market is projected to grow 3% nationally over the next decade.