Engineering Lake Charles, LA Pop. 80,000

Marine Engineer Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The median marine engineer salary in Lake Charles, LA is $83,343 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 5.5% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$83,343
vs State Avg
$-4,845
vs National
$-13,567
Cost of Living
86%

Marine Engineer Pay in Lake Charles: What to Expect (2026)

Lake Charles offers a median marine engineer salary of $83,343, which is $4,845 below the Louisiana state average of $88,188. Compared to the national median of $96,910, 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 $83,343 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $96,910 in an average-cost city. This makes Lake Charles an attractive option for marine engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for marine engineers in Lake Charles spans from $49,880 at the 10th percentile to $130,720 at the 90th percentile — a $80,840 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $53,320, while senior marine engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $124,700. Lake Charles is a smaller market (pop. 80,000), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Marine Engineer Salary in Lake Charles by Experience

In Lake Charles, an entry-level marine engineer earns around $53,320, while experienced professionals earn up to $124,700 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$53,320
$-8,680 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$84,280
$-13,720 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$124,700
$-20,300 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Percentile Lake Charles
10th Percentile $49,880
25th Percentile $65,360
Median (50th) $83,343
75th Percentile $106,640
90th Percentile $130,720

Marine Engineer Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$94,972
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$89,157
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$85,281
Pop. 121,374
Shreveport, LA
$82,374
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Marine Engineer in Lake Charles

Education

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

Key Skills

Naval ArchitectureMarine SystemsCADPropulsionMaritime LawProject Management

Job Outlook

Nationally, marine engineer 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 Marine Engineer Jobs in Lake Charles

Browse open marine engineer positions in Lake Charles, LA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Marine Engineer Salary in Lake Charles

How much does a Marine Engineer make in Lake Charles, LA? ▼
The median marine engineer salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana is $83,343 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $96,910. Salaries range from $49,880 (10th percentile) to $130,720 (90th percentile).
How much does a Marine Engineer make per hour in Lake Charles? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $83,343, a marine engineer in Lake Charles earns approximately $40 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lake Charles compare to the Louisiana state average for marine engineer pay? ▼
Lake Charles's median marine engineer salary of $83,343 is 5.5% below the Louisiana state average of $88,188. 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 marine engineer salary of $83,343 in Lake Charles has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a marine engineer in Lake Charles? ▼
Most marine engineer positions in Lake Charles require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Naval Architecture, Marine Systems, CAD, Propulsion. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.