Public Service Lake Charles, LA Pop. 80,000

Security Guard Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The median security guard salary in Lake Charles, LA is $29,885 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 5.5% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$29,885
vs State Avg
$-1,738
vs National
$-4,865
Cost of Living
86%

Security Guard Pay in Lake Charles: What to Expect (2026)

Lake Charles offers a median security guard salary of $29,885, which is $1,738 below the Louisiana state average of $31,623. Compared to the national median of $34,750, 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 $29,885 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $34,750 in an average-cost city. This makes Lake Charles an attractive option for security guards seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for security guards in Lake Charles spans from $21,500 at the 10th percentile to $44,720 at the 90th percentile — a $23,220 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $22,360, while senior security guards with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $43,000. Lake Charles is a smaller market (pop. 80,000), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Security Guard Salary in Lake Charles by Experience

In Lake Charles, an entry-level security guard earns around $22,360, while experienced professionals earn up to $43,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$22,360
$-3,640 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$30,960
$-5,040 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$43,000
$-7,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Percentile Lake Charles
10th Percentile $21,500
25th Percentile $24,940
Median (50th) $29,885
75th Percentile $36,120
90th Percentile $44,720

Security Guard Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$34,055
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$31,970
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$30,580
Pop. 121,374
Shreveport, LA
$29,538
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Security Guard in Lake Charles

Education

Most security guard positions require a high school diploma. Lake Charles and the surrounding Louisiana area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

SurveillanceAccess ControlReport WritingCommunicationObservationCPR/First Aid

Job Outlook

Nationally, security guard employment is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Lake Charles may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Security Guard Jobs in Lake Charles

Browse open security guard positions in Lake Charles, LA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Security Guard Salary in Lake Charles

How much does a Security Guard make in Lake Charles, LA? ▼
The median security guard salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana is $29,885 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $34,750. Salaries range from $21,500 (10th percentile) to $44,720 (90th percentile).
How much does a Security Guard make per hour in Lake Charles? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $29,885, a security guard in Lake Charles earns approximately $14 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lake Charles compare to the Louisiana state average for security guard pay? ▼
Lake Charles's median security guard salary of $29,885 is 5.5% below the Louisiana state average of $31,623. 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 security guard salary of $29,885 in Lake Charles has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a security guard in Lake Charles? ▼
Most security guard positions in Lake Charles require a high school diploma. Key skills include Surveillance, Access Control, Report Writing, Communication. The job market is projected to grow 3% nationally over the next decade.