Healthcare Lake Charles, LA Pop. 80,000

Physical Therapist Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The median physical therapist salary in Lake Charles, LA is $84,039 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 5.5% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$84,039
vs State Avg
$-4,886
vs National
$-13,681
Cost of Living
86%

Physical Therapist Pay in Lake Charles: What to Expect (2026)

Lake Charles offers a median physical therapist salary of $84,039, which is $4,886 below the Louisiana state average of $88,925. Compared to the national median of $97,720, 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 $84,039 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $97,720 in an average-cost city. This makes Lake Charles an attractive option for physical therapists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for physical therapists in Lake Charles spans from $57,448 at the 10th percentile to $111,972 at the 90th percentile — a $54,524 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $58,480, while senior physical therapists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $110,080. Lake Charles is a smaller market (pop. 80,000), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Physical Therapist Salary in Lake Charles by Experience

In Lake Charles, an entry-level physical therapist earns around $58,480, while experienced professionals earn up to $110,080 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$58,480
$-9,520 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$84,280
$-13,720 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$110,080
$-17,920 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Percentile Lake Charles
10th Percentile $57,448
25th Percentile $68,972
Median (50th) $84,039
75th Percentile $100,104
90th Percentile $111,972

Physical Therapist Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$95,766
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$89,902
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$85,994
Pop. 121,374
Shreveport, LA
$83,062
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Physical Therapist in Lake Charles

Education

Most physical therapist positions require a doctoral degree. Lake Charles and the surrounding Louisiana area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Manual TherapyExercise PrescriptionPatient AssessmentRehabilitationAnatomyDocumentation

Job Outlook

Nationally, physical therapist employment is projected to grow 15% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Lake Charles may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Physical Therapist Jobs in Lake Charles

Browse open physical therapist positions in Lake Charles, LA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Physical Therapist Salary in Lake Charles

How much does a Physical Therapist make in Lake Charles, LA? ▼
The median physical therapist salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana is $84,039 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $97,720. Salaries range from $57,448 (10th percentile) to $111,972 (90th percentile).
How much does a Physical Therapist make per hour in Lake Charles? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $84,039, a physical therapist in Lake Charles earns approximately $40 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lake Charles compare to the Louisiana state average for physical therapist pay? ▼
Lake Charles's median physical therapist salary of $84,039 is 5.5% below the Louisiana state average of $88,925. 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 physical therapist salary of $84,039 in Lake Charles has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physical therapist in Lake Charles? ▼
Most physical therapist positions in Lake Charles require a doctoral degree. Key skills include Manual Therapy, Exercise Prescription, Patient Assessment, Rehabilitation. The job market is projected to grow 15% nationally over the next decade.