Engineering Lake Charles, LA Pop. 80,000

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The median petroleum engineer salary in Lake Charles, LA is $113,348 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 5.5% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$113,348
vs State Avg
$-6,590
vs National
$-18,452
Cost of Living
86%

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

Lake Charles offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $113,348, which is $6,590 below the Louisiana state average of $119,938. Compared to the national median of $131,800, 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 $113,348 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $131,800 in an average-cost city. This makes Lake Charles an attractive option for petroleum engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for petroleum engineers in Lake Charles spans from $68,800 at the 10th percentile to $173,720 at the 90th percentile — a $104,920 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $72,240, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $167,700. Lake Charles is a smaller market (pop. 80,000), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Lake Charles by Experience

In Lake Charles, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $72,240, while experienced professionals earn up to $167,700 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$72,240
$-11,760 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$115,240
$-18,760 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$167,700
$-27,300 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Percentile Lake Charles
10th Percentile $68,800
25th Percentile $87,720
Median (50th) $113,348
75th Percentile $144,480
90th Percentile $173,720

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$129,164
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$121,256
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$115,984
Pop. 121,374
Shreveport, LA
$112,030
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Lake Charles

Education

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

Key Skills

Reservoir EngineeringDrillingGeologySimulation SoftwareProject ManagementData Analysis

Job Outlook

Nationally, petroleum engineer employment is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Lake Charles may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Lake Charles

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Lake Charles, LA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Lake Charles

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Lake Charles, LA? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana is $113,348 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $68,800 (10th percentile) to $173,720 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Lake Charles? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $113,348, a petroleum engineer in Lake Charles earns approximately $54 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lake Charles compare to the Louisiana state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Lake Charles's median petroleum engineer salary of $113,348 is 5.5% below the Louisiana state average of $119,938. 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 petroleum engineer salary of $113,348 in Lake Charles has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Lake Charles? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Lake Charles require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Reservoir Engineering, Drilling, Geology, Simulation Software. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.