Engineering Lake Charles, LA Pop. 80,000

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The median nuclear engineer salary in Lake Charles, LA is $103,527 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 5.5% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$103,527
vs State Avg
$-6,019
vs National
$-16,853
Cost of Living
86%

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

Lake Charles offers a median nuclear engineer salary of $103,527, which is $6,019 below the Louisiana state average of $109,546. Compared to the national median of $120,380, 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 $103,527 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $120,380 in an average-cost city. This makes Lake Charles an attractive option for nuclear engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for nuclear engineers in Lake Charles spans from $65,360 at the 10th percentile to $153,080 at the 90th percentile — a $87,720 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $67,080, while senior nuclear engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $147,920. Lake Charles is a smaller market (pop. 80,000), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Lake Charles by Experience

In Lake Charles, an entry-level nuclear engineer earns around $67,080, while experienced professionals earn up to $147,920 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$67,080
$-10,920 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$104,920
$-17,080 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$147,920
$-24,080 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Percentile Lake Charles
10th Percentile $65,360
25th Percentile $82,560
Median (50th) $103,527
75th Percentile $127,280
90th Percentile $153,080

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$117,972
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$110,750
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$105,934
Pop. 121,374
Shreveport, LA
$102,323
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Nuclear Engineer in Lake Charles

Education

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

Key Skills

Nuclear PhysicsReactor DesignSafety AnalysisRadiation ProtectionMATLABRegulatory Compliance

Job Outlook

Nationally, nuclear 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 Nuclear Engineer Jobs in Lake Charles

Browse open nuclear engineer positions in Lake Charles, LA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Nuclear Engineer Salary in Lake Charles

How much does a Nuclear Engineer make in Lake Charles, LA? ▼
The median nuclear engineer salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana is $103,527 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $120,380. Salaries range from $65,360 (10th percentile) to $153,080 (90th percentile).
How much does a Nuclear Engineer make per hour in Lake Charles? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $103,527, a nuclear engineer in Lake Charles earns approximately $50 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lake Charles compare to the Louisiana state average for nuclear engineer pay? ▼
Lake Charles's median nuclear engineer salary of $103,527 is 5.5% below the Louisiana state average of $109,546. 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 nuclear engineer salary of $103,527 in Lake Charles has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a nuclear engineer in Lake Charles? ▼
Most nuclear engineer positions in Lake Charles require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Nuclear Physics, Reactor Design, Safety Analysis, Radiation Protection. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.