Science & Research Lake Charles, LA Pop. 80,000

Physicist Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The median physicist salary in Lake Charles, LA is $131,090 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 5.5% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$131,090
vs State Avg
$-7,621
vs National
$-21,340
Cost of Living
86%

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

Lake Charles offers a median physicist salary of $131,090, which is $7,621 below the Louisiana state average of $138,711. Compared to the national median of $152,430, 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 $131,090 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $152,430 in an average-cost city. This makes Lake Charles an attractive option for physicists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for physicists in Lake Charles spans from $67,080 at the 10th percentile to $204,680 at the 90th percentile — a $137,600 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $70,520, while senior physicists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $189,200. Lake Charles is a smaller market (pop. 80,000), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Physicist Salary in Lake Charles by Experience

In Lake Charles, an entry-level physicist earns around $70,520, while experienced professionals earn up to $189,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$70,520
$-11,480 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$133,300
$-21,700 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$189,200
$-30,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Percentile Lake Charles
10th Percentile $67,080
25th Percentile $92,880
Median (50th) $131,090
75th Percentile $167,700
90th Percentile $204,680

Physicist Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$149,381
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$140,236
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$134,138
Pop. 121,374
Shreveport, LA
$129,566
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Physicist in Lake Charles

Education

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

Key Skills

Mathematical ModelingExperimental PhysicsPython/MATLABData AnalysisScientific WritingLaboratory Equipment

Job Outlook

Nationally, physicist 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 Physicist Jobs in Lake Charles

Browse open physicist positions in Lake Charles, LA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Physicist Salary in Lake Charles

How much does a Physicist make in Lake Charles, LA? ▼
The median physicist salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana is $131,090 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $152,430. Salaries range from $67,080 (10th percentile) to $204,680 (90th percentile).
How much does a Physicist make per hour in Lake Charles? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $131,090, a physicist in Lake Charles earns approximately $63 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lake Charles compare to the Louisiana state average for physicist pay? ▼
Lake Charles's median physicist salary of $131,090 is 5.5% below the Louisiana state average of $138,711. 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 physicist salary of $131,090 in Lake Charles has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physicist in Lake Charles? ▼
Most physicist positions in Lake Charles require a doctoral degree. Key skills include Mathematical Modeling, Experimental Physics, Python/MATLAB, Data Analysis. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.