Trades & Labor Lake Charles, LA Pop. 80,000

Machinist Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The median machinist salary in Lake Charles, LA is $44,472 per year, which is 9% below the national median and 5.2% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$44,472
vs State Avg
$-2,443
vs National
$-4,398
Cost of Living
86%

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

Lake Charles offers a median machinist salary of $44,472, which is $2,443 below the Louisiana state average of $46,915. Compared to the national median of $48,870, 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 $44,472 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $51,712 in an average-cost city. This makes Lake Charles an attractive option for machinists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for machinists in Lake Charles spans from $29,120 at the 10th percentile to $67,340 at the 90th percentile — a $38,220 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $30,940, while senior machinists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $65,520. Lake Charles is a smaller market (pop. 80,000), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Machinist Salary in Lake Charles by Experience

In Lake Charles, an entry-level machinist earns around $30,940, while experienced professionals earn up to $65,520 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$30,940
$-3,060 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$45,500
$-4,500 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$65,520
$-6,480 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Percentile Lake Charles
10th Percentile $29,120
25th Percentile $35,490
Median (50th) $44,472
75th Percentile $55,510
90th Percentile $67,340

Machinist Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$50,336
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$47,404
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$45,449
Pop. 121,374
Shreveport, LA
$43,983
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Machinist in Lake Charles

Education

Most machinist positions require a high school diploma. Lake Charles and the surrounding Louisiana area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

CNC ProgrammingBlueprint ReadingPrecision MeasurementMetalworkingCAD/CAMQuality Control

Job Outlook

Nationally, machinist 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 Machinist Jobs in Lake Charles

Browse open machinist positions in Lake Charles, LA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Machinist Salary in Lake Charles

How much does a Machinist make in Lake Charles, LA? ▼
The median machinist salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana is $44,472 per year, which is 9% below the national median of $48,870. Salaries range from $29,120 (10th percentile) to $67,340 (90th percentile).
How much does a Machinist make per hour in Lake Charles? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $44,472, a machinist in Lake Charles earns approximately $21 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lake Charles compare to the Louisiana state average for machinist pay? ▼
Lake Charles's median machinist salary of $44,472 is 5.2% below the Louisiana state average of $46,915. 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 machinist salary of $44,472 in Lake Charles has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a machinist in Lake Charles? ▼
Most machinist positions in Lake Charles require a high school diploma. Key skills include CNC Programming, Blueprint Reading, Precision Measurement, Metalworking. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.