Healthcare Lake Charles, LA Pop. 80,000

Veterinarian Salary in Lake Charles, Louisiana

The median veterinarian salary in Lake Charles, LA is $88,804 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 5.5% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$88,804
vs State Avg
$-5,163
vs National
$-14,456
Cost of Living
86%

Veterinarian Salary in Lake Charles by Experience

In Lake Charles, an entry-level veterinarian earns around $58,480, while experienced professionals earn up to $133,300 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$58,480
$-9,520 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$90,300
$-14,700 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$133,300
$-21,700 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Percentile Lake Charles
10th Percentile $56,072
25th Percentile $69,144
Median (50th) $88,804
75th Percentile $115,584
90th Percentile $149,812

Veterinarian Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$101,195
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$94,999
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$90,869
Pop. 121,374
Shreveport, LA
$87,771
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Veterinarian in Lake Charles

Education

Most veterinarian positions require a doctoral degree. Lake Charles and the surrounding Louisiana area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

DiagnosisSurgeryPharmacologyAnimal HandlingClient CommunicationRadiology

Job Outlook

Nationally, veterinarian 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.