Healthcare Lake Charles, LA Pop. 80,000

Psychiatrist Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The median psychiatrist salary in Lake Charles, LA is $219,842 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 5.5% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$219,842
vs State Avg
$-12,781
vs National
$-35,788
Cost of Living
86%

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

Lake Charles offers a median psychiatrist salary of $219,842, which is $12,781 below the Louisiana state average of $232,623. Compared to the national median of $255,630, 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 $219,842 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $255,630 in an average-cost city. This makes Lake Charles an attractive option for psychiatrists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for psychiatrists in Lake Charles spans from $103,200 at the 10th percentile to $344,000 at the 90th percentile — a $240,800 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $107,500, while senior psychiatrists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $331,100. Lake Charles is a smaller market (pop. 80,000), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Psychiatrist Salary in Lake Charles by Experience

In Lake Charles, an entry-level psychiatrist earns around $107,500, while experienced professionals earn up to $331,100 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$107,500
$-17,500 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$221,880
$-36,120 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$331,100
$-53,900 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Percentile Lake Charles
10th Percentile $103,200
25th Percentile $150,500
Median (50th) $219,842
75th Percentile $283,800
90th Percentile $344,000

Psychiatrist Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$250,517
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$235,180
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$224,954
Pop. 121,374
Shreveport, LA
$217,286
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Psychiatrist in Lake Charles

Education

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

Key Skills

PsychiatryPsychopharmacologyCBT/DBTDiagnosisPatient AssessmentDocumentation

Job Outlook

Nationally, psychiatrist employment is projected to grow 7% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Lake Charles may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Psychiatrist Jobs in Lake Charles

Browse open psychiatrist positions in Lake Charles, LA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Psychiatrist Salary in Lake Charles

How much does a Psychiatrist make in Lake Charles, LA? ▼
The median psychiatrist salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana is $219,842 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $255,630. Salaries range from $103,200 (10th percentile) to $344,000 (90th percentile).
How much does a Psychiatrist make per hour in Lake Charles? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $219,842, a psychiatrist in Lake Charles earns approximately $106 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lake Charles compare to the Louisiana state average for psychiatrist pay? ▼
Lake Charles's median psychiatrist salary of $219,842 is 5.5% below the Louisiana state average of $232,623. 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 psychiatrist salary of $219,842 in Lake Charles has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a psychiatrist in Lake Charles? ▼
Most psychiatrist positions in Lake Charles require a doctoral degree. Key skills include Psychiatry, Psychopharmacology, CBT/DBT, Diagnosis. The job market is projected to grow 7% nationally over the next decade.