Agriculture & Environment Lake Charles, LA Pop. 80,000

Park Ranger Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The median park ranger salary in Lake Charles, LA is $36,550 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 5.5% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$36,550
vs State Avg
$-2,125
vs National
$-5,950
Cost of Living
86%

Park Ranger Pay in Lake Charles: What to Expect (2026)

Lake Charles offers a median park ranger salary of $36,550, which is $2,125 below the Louisiana state average of $38,675. Compared to the national median of $42,500, 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 $36,550 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $42,500 in an average-cost city. This makes Lake Charles an attractive option for park rangers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for park rangers in Lake Charles spans from $24,080 at the 10th percentile to $61,920 at the 90th percentile — a $37,840 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $25,800, while senior park rangers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $58,480. Lake Charles is a smaller market (pop. 80,000), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Park Ranger Salary in Lake Charles by Experience

In Lake Charles, an entry-level park ranger earns around $25,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $58,480 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$25,800
$-4,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$37,840
$-6,160 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$58,480
$-9,520 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Percentile Lake Charles
10th Percentile $24,080
25th Percentile $29,240
Median (50th) $36,550
75th Percentile $49,880
90th Percentile $61,920

Park Ranger Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$41,650
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$39,100
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$37,400
Pop. 121,374
Shreveport, LA
$36,125
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Park Ranger in Lake Charles

Education

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

Key Skills

ConservationLaw EnforcementPublic EducationWildlife ManagementEmergency ResponseOutdoor Skills

Job Outlook

Nationally, park ranger 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 Park Ranger Jobs in Lake Charles

Browse open park ranger positions in Lake Charles, LA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Park Ranger Salary in Lake Charles

How much does a Park Ranger make in Lake Charles, LA? ▼
The median park ranger salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana is $36,550 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $42,500. Salaries range from $24,080 (10th percentile) to $61,920 (90th percentile).
How much does a Park Ranger make per hour in Lake Charles? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $36,550, a park ranger in Lake Charles earns approximately $18 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lake Charles compare to the Louisiana state average for park ranger pay? ▼
Lake Charles's median park ranger salary of $36,550 is 5.5% below the Louisiana state average of $38,675. 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 park ranger salary of $36,550 in Lake Charles has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a park ranger in Lake Charles? ▼
Most park ranger positions in Lake Charles require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Conservation, Law Enforcement, Public Education, Wildlife Management. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.