Technology Lake Charles, LA Pop. 80,000

QA Engineer Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The median qa engineer salary in Lake Charles, LA is $73,800 per year, which is 18% below the national median and 5.7% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$73,800
vs State Avg
$-4,500
vs National
$-16,200
Cost of Living
86%

QA Engineer Pay in Lake Charles: What to Expect (2026)

Lake Charles offers a median qa engineer salary of $73,800, which is $4,500 below the Louisiana state average of $78,300. Compared to the national median of $90,000, 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 $73,800 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $85,814 in an average-cost city. This makes Lake Charles an attractive option for qa engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for qa engineers in Lake Charles spans from $45,100 at the 10th percentile to $116,440 at the 90th percentile — a $71,340 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $47,560, while senior qa engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $110,700. Lake Charles is a smaller market (pop. 80,000), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

QA Engineer Salary in Lake Charles by Experience

In Lake Charles, an entry-level qa engineer earns around $47,560, while experienced professionals earn up to $110,700 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$47,560
$-10,440 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$75,440
$-16,560 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$110,700
$-24,300 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Percentile Lake Charles
10th Percentile $45,100
25th Percentile $59,040
Median (50th) $73,800
75th Percentile $96,760
90th Percentile $116,440

QA Engineer Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$84,600
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$79,200
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$75,600
Pop. 121,374
Shreveport, LA
$72,900
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a QA Engineer in Lake Charles

Education

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

Key Skills

Test AutomationSeleniumJIRASQLAPI TestingAgile

Job Outlook

Nationally, qa engineer 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 QA Engineer Jobs in Lake Charles

Browse open qa engineer positions in Lake Charles, LA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: QA Engineer Salary in Lake Charles

How much does a QA Engineer make in Lake Charles, LA? ▼
The median qa engineer salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana is $73,800 per year, which is 18% below the national median of $90,000. Salaries range from $45,100 (10th percentile) to $116,440 (90th percentile).
How much does a QA Engineer make per hour in Lake Charles? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $73,800, a qa engineer in Lake Charles earns approximately $35 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lake Charles compare to the Louisiana state average for qa engineer pay? ▼
Lake Charles's median qa engineer salary of $73,800 is 5.7% below the Louisiana state average of $78,300. 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 qa engineer salary of $73,800 in Lake Charles has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a qa engineer in Lake Charles? ▼
Most qa engineer positions in Lake Charles require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Test Automation, Selenium, JIRA, SQL. The job market is projected to grow 15% nationally over the next decade.