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

Painter Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The median painter salary in Lake Charles, LA is $40,677 per year, which is 9% below the national median and 5.2% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$40,677
vs State Avg
$-2,235
vs National
$-4,023
Cost of Living
86%

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

Lake Charles offers a median painter salary of $40,677, which is $2,235 below the Louisiana state average of $42,912. Compared to the national median of $44,700, 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 $40,677 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $47,299 in an average-cost city. This makes Lake Charles an attractive option for painters seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for painters in Lake Charles spans from $27,300 at the 10th percentile to $63,700 at the 90th percentile — a $36,400 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $28,210, while senior painters with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $60,060. Lake Charles is a smaller market (pop. 80,000), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Painter Salary in Lake Charles by Experience

In Lake Charles, an entry-level painter earns around $28,210, while experienced professionals earn up to $60,060 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$28,210
$-2,790 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$40,950
$-4,050 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$60,060
$-5,940 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Percentile Lake Charles
10th Percentile $27,300
25th Percentile $32,760
Median (50th) $40,677
75th Percentile $51,870
90th Percentile $63,700

Painter Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$46,041
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$43,359
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$41,571
Pop. 121,374
Shreveport, LA
$40,230
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Painter in Lake Charles

Education

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

Key Skills

Surface PreparationPaint ApplicationColor MatchingSpray EquipmentSafetyBlueprint Reading

Job Outlook

Nationally, painter employment is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Lake Charles may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Painter Jobs in Lake Charles

Browse open painter positions in Lake Charles, LA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Painter Salary in Lake Charles

How much does a Painter make in Lake Charles, LA? ▼
The median painter salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana is $40,677 per year, which is 9% below the national median of $44,700. Salaries range from $27,300 (10th percentile) to $63,700 (90th percentile).
How much does a Painter make per hour in Lake Charles? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $40,677, a painter in Lake Charles earns approximately $20 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lake Charles compare to the Louisiana state average for painter pay? ▼
Lake Charles's median painter salary of $40,677 is 5.2% below the Louisiana state average of $42,912. 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 painter salary of $40,677 in Lake Charles has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a painter in Lake Charles? ▼
Most painter positions in Lake Charles require a high school diploma. Key skills include Surface Preparation, Paint Application, Color Matching, Spray Equipment. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.