Healthcare Lake Charles, LA Pop. 80,000

Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The median speech-language pathologist salary in Lake Charles, LA is $76,789 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 5.5% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$76,789
vs State Avg
$-4,465
vs National
$-12,501
Cost of Living
86%

Speech-Language Pathologist Pay in Lake Charles: What to Expect (2026)

Lake Charles offers a median speech-language pathologist salary of $76,789, which is $4,465 below the Louisiana state average of $81,254. Compared to the national median of $89,290, 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 $76,789 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $89,290 in an average-cost city. This makes Lake Charles an attractive option for speech-language pathologists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for speech-language pathologists in Lake Charles spans from $51,772 at the 10th percentile to $110,080 at the 90th percentile — a $58,308 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $53,320, while senior speech-language pathologists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $103,200. Lake Charles is a smaller market (pop. 80,000), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Lake Charles by Experience

In Lake Charles, an entry-level speech-language pathologist earns around $53,320, while experienced professionals earn up to $103,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$53,320
$-8,680 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$77,400
$-12,600 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$103,200
$-16,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Percentile Lake Charles
10th Percentile $51,772
25th Percentile $62,780
Median (50th) $76,789
75th Percentile $92,880
90th Percentile $110,080

Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$87,504
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$82,147
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$78,575
Pop. 121,374
Shreveport, LA
$75,897
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Speech-Language Pathologist in Lake Charles

Education

Most speech-language pathologist positions require a master's degree. Lake Charles and the surrounding Louisiana area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Speech AssessmentLanguage TherapySwallowing TherapyAAC DevicesDocumentationPatient Education

Job Outlook

Nationally, speech-language pathologist employment is projected to grow 19% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Lake Charles may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Speech-Language Pathologist Jobs in Lake Charles

Browse open speech-language pathologist positions in Lake Charles, LA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Lake Charles

How much does a Speech-Language Pathologist make in Lake Charles, LA? ▼
The median speech-language pathologist salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana is $76,789 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $89,290. Salaries range from $51,772 (10th percentile) to $110,080 (90th percentile).
How much does a Speech-Language Pathologist make per hour in Lake Charles? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $76,789, a speech-language pathologist in Lake Charles earns approximately $37 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lake Charles compare to the Louisiana state average for speech-language pathologist pay? ▼
Lake Charles's median speech-language pathologist salary of $76,789 is 5.5% below the Louisiana state average of $81,254. 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 speech-language pathologist salary of $76,789 in Lake Charles has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a speech-language pathologist in Lake Charles? ▼
Most speech-language pathologist positions in Lake Charles require a master's degree. Key skills include Speech Assessment, Language Therapy, Swallowing Therapy, AAC Devices. The job market is projected to grow 19% nationally over the next decade.