Media & Communications Lake Charles, LA Pop. 80,000

Photographer Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The median photographer salary in Lake Charles, LA is $34,572 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 5.5% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$34,572
vs State Avg
$-2,010
vs National
$-5,628
Cost of Living
86%

Photographer Salary in Lake Charles by Experience

In Lake Charles, an entry-level photographer earns around $22,360, while experienced professionals earn up to $64,500 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$22,360
$-3,640 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$36,120
$-5,880 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$64,500
$-10,500 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Percentile Lake Charles
10th Percentile $20,640
25th Percentile $25,800
Median (50th) $34,572
75th Percentile $49,880
90th Percentile $70,520

Photographer Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$39,396
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$36,984
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$35,376
Pop. 121,374
Shreveport, LA
$34,170
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Photographer in Lake Charles

Education

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

Key Skills

PhotographyLightroom/PhotoshopLightingCompositionPhoto EditingClient Management

Job Outlook

Nationally, photographer 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.