Chemical Engineers Salary in Lake Charles, LA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Lake Charles, LA

Median annual salary $136,810 +12.3% vs national
Median hourly $65.77
10th percentile $95,280
90th percentile $177,790
Employed locally 100
National median $121,860

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Chemical Engineers
in
Lake Charles, LA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $95,280
    25th
    $115,530
    50th (median)
    $136,810
    75th
    $177,790
    90th
    $177,790

    Lake Charles economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $67,010 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemical Engineers salary vs area income 204% Median Chemical Engineers salary is 104% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Chemical Engineers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Tulsa, OK $169,250
    Albuquerque, NM $163,380
    Oklahoma $160,990
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $152,290
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $151,360
    New Mexico $147,290

    Nearby metros — Chemical Engineers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Oklahoma $160,990
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $152,290
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $139,560
    Bakersfield-Delano, CA $135,820
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $135,610
    New Orleans-Metairie, LA $133,070

    Related occupations in Lake Charles, LA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Engineers, All Other $92,110
    Industrial Engineers $129,260
    Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other $65,270
    Civil Engineers $106,800
    Petroleum Engineers $153,830
    Mechanical Engineers $106,780

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chemical Engineers make per hour in Lake Charles?

    The median hourly wage for Chemical Engineers in Lake Charles, LA is $65.77, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $85.48 or more per hour.

    Is Lake Charles above or below average for Chemical Engineers salaries?

    The median Chemical Engineers salary in Lake Charles, LA is 12.3% above the national median of $121,860. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Chemical Engineers in Lake Charles?

    Entry-level Chemical Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $95,280 per year in Lake Charles, LA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $115,530.