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

Real Estate Appraiser Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The median real estate appraiser salary in Lake Charles, LA is $53,165 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 5.5% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$53,165
vs State Avg
$-3,091
vs National
$-8,655
Cost of Living
86%

Real Estate Appraiser Pay in Lake Charles: What to Expect (2026)

Lake Charles offers a median real estate appraiser salary of $53,165, which is $3,091 below the Louisiana state average of $56,256. Compared to the national median of $61,820, 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 $53,165 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $61,820 in an average-cost city. This makes Lake Charles an attractive option for real estate appraisers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for real estate appraisers in Lake Charles spans from $30,960 at the 10th percentile to $87,720 at the 90th percentile — a $56,760 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $32,680, while senior real estate appraisers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $82,560. Lake Charles is a smaller market (pop. 80,000), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Real Estate Appraiser Salary in Lake Charles by Experience

In Lake Charles, an entry-level real estate appraiser earns around $32,680, while experienced professionals earn up to $82,560 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$32,680
$-5,320 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$54,180
$-8,820 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$82,560
$-13,440 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Percentile Lake Charles
10th Percentile $30,960
25th Percentile $39,560
Median (50th) $53,165
75th Percentile $68,800
90th Percentile $87,720

Real Estate Appraiser Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$60,584
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$56,874
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$54,402
Pop. 121,374
Shreveport, LA
$52,547
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Real Estate Appraiser in Lake Charles

Education

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

Key Skills

Property ValuationMarket AnalysisReport WritingUSPAP StandardsMLS SystemsAttention to Detail

Job Outlook

Nationally, real estate appraiser employment is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Lake Charles may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Real Estate Appraiser Jobs in Lake Charles

Browse open real estate appraiser positions in Lake Charles, LA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Real Estate Appraiser Salary in Lake Charles

How much does a Real Estate Appraiser make in Lake Charles, LA? ▼
The median real estate appraiser salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana is $53,165 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $61,820. Salaries range from $30,960 (10th percentile) to $87,720 (90th percentile).
How much does a Real Estate Appraiser make per hour in Lake Charles? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $53,165, a real estate appraiser in Lake Charles earns approximately $26 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lake Charles compare to the Louisiana state average for real estate appraiser pay? ▼
Lake Charles's median real estate appraiser salary of $53,165 is 5.5% below the Louisiana state average of $56,256. 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 real estate appraiser salary of $53,165 in Lake Charles has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a real estate appraiser in Lake Charles? ▼
Most real estate appraiser positions in Lake Charles require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Property Valuation, Market Analysis, Report Writing, USPAP Standards. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.