Creative & Education Lake Charles, LA Pop. 80,000

School Counselor Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The median school counselor salary in Lake Charles, LA is $51,720 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 5.5% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$51,720
vs State Avg
$-3,007
vs National
$-8,420
Cost of Living
86%

School Counselor Salary in Lake Charles by Experience

In Lake Charles, an entry-level school counselor earns around $34,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $73,100 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$34,400
$-5,600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$51,600
$-8,400 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$73,100
$-11,900 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Percentile Lake Charles
10th Percentile $32,852
25th Percentile $40,420
Median (50th) $51,720
75th Percentile $65,532
90th Percentile $81,528

School Counselor Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$58,937
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$55,329
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$52,923
Pop. 121,374
Shreveport, LA
$51,119
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a School Counselor in Lake Charles

Education

Most school counselor positions require a master's degree. Lake Charles and the surrounding Louisiana area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

CounselingCollege PlanningCrisis InterventionGroup FacilitationActive ListeningStudent Assessment

Job Outlook

Nationally, school counselor 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.