Business & Finance Lake Charles, LA Pop. 80,000

Project Manager Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The median project manager salary in Lake Charles, LA is $82,018 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 5.5% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$82,018
vs State Avg
$-4,769
vs National
$-13,352
Cost of Living
86%

Project Manager Pay in Lake Charles: What to Expect (2026)

Lake Charles offers a median project manager salary of $82,018, which is $4,769 below the Louisiana state average of $86,787. Compared to the national median of $95,370, 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 $82,018 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $95,370 in an average-cost city. This makes Lake Charles an attractive option for project managers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for project managers in Lake Charles spans from $48,332 at the 10th percentile to $136,826 at the 90th percentile — a $88,494 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $49,880, while senior project managers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $124,700. Lake Charles is a smaller market (pop. 80,000), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Project Manager Salary in Lake Charles by Experience

In Lake Charles, an entry-level project manager earns around $49,880, while experienced professionals earn up to $124,700 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$49,880
$-8,120 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$82,560
$-13,440 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$124,700
$-20,300 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Percentile Lake Charles
10th Percentile $48,332
25th Percentile $62,780
Median (50th) $82,018
75th Percentile $108,360
90th Percentile $136,826

Project Manager Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$93,463
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$87,740
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$83,926
Pop. 121,374
Shreveport, LA
$81,065
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Project Manager in Lake Charles

Education

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

Key Skills

Agile/ScrumRisk ManagementBudgetingStakeholder CommunicationJIRA/AsanaPMP Certification

Job Outlook

Nationally, project manager employment is projected to grow 6% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Lake Charles may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Project Manager Jobs in Lake Charles

Browse open project manager positions in Lake Charles, LA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Project Manager Salary in Lake Charles

How much does a Project Manager make in Lake Charles, LA? ▼
The median project manager salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana is $82,018 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $95,370. Salaries range from $48,332 (10th percentile) to $136,826 (90th percentile).
How much does a Project Manager make per hour in Lake Charles? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $82,018, a project manager in Lake Charles earns approximately $39 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lake Charles compare to the Louisiana state average for project manager pay? ▼
Lake Charles's median project manager salary of $82,018 is 5.5% below the Louisiana state average of $86,787. 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 project manager salary of $82,018 in Lake Charles has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a project manager in Lake Charles? ▼
Most project manager positions in Lake Charles require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Agile/Scrum, Risk Management, Budgeting, Stakeholder Communication. The job market is projected to grow 6% nationally over the next decade.