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

Tax Preparer Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The median tax preparer salary in Lake Charles, LA is $39,809 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 5.5% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$39,809
vs State Avg
$-2,315
vs National
$-6,481
Cost of Living
86%

Tax Preparer Pay in Lake Charles: What to Expect (2026)

Lake Charles offers a median tax preparer salary of $39,809, which is $2,315 below the Louisiana state average of $42,124. Compared to the national median of $46,290, 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 $39,809 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $46,290 in an average-cost city. This makes Lake Charles an attractive option for tax preparers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for tax preparers in Lake Charles spans from $21,500 at the 10th percentile to $75,680 at the 90th percentile — a $54,180 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $24,080, while senior tax preparers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $70,520. Lake Charles is a smaller market (pop. 80,000), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Tax Preparer Salary in Lake Charles by Experience

In Lake Charles, an entry-level tax preparer earns around $24,080, while experienced professionals earn up to $70,520 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$24,080
$-3,920 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$41,280
$-6,720 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$70,520
$-11,480 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Percentile Lake Charles
10th Percentile $21,500
25th Percentile $27,520
Median (50th) $39,809
75th Percentile $55,900
90th Percentile $75,680

Tax Preparer Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$45,364
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$42,587
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$40,735
Pop. 121,374
Shreveport, LA
$39,347
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Tax Preparer in Lake Charles

Education

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

Key Skills

Tax LawTax SoftwareFinancial RecordsAttention to DetailClient CommunicationIRS Regulations

Job Outlook

Nationally, tax preparer employment is projected to grow 2% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Lake Charles may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Tax Preparer Jobs in Lake Charles

Browse open tax preparer positions in Lake Charles, LA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Tax Preparer Salary in Lake Charles

How much does a Tax Preparer make in Lake Charles, LA? ▼
The median tax preparer salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana is $39,809 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $46,290. Salaries range from $21,500 (10th percentile) to $75,680 (90th percentile).
How much does a Tax Preparer make per hour in Lake Charles? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $39,809, a tax preparer in Lake Charles earns approximately $19 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lake Charles compare to the Louisiana state average for tax preparer pay? ▼
Lake Charles's median tax preparer salary of $39,809 is 5.5% below the Louisiana state average of $42,124. 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 tax preparer salary of $39,809 in Lake Charles has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a tax preparer in Lake Charles? ▼
Most tax preparer positions in Lake Charles require a high school diploma. Key skills include Tax Law, Tax Software, Financial Records, Attention to Detail. The job market is projected to grow 2% nationally over the next decade.