Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary in Lake Charles, LA

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

Median annual salary $48,520 -20.5% vs national
Median hourly $23.33
10th percentile $34,890
90th percentile $70,210
Employed locally 130
National median $61,010

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Paralegals and Legal Assistants
in
Lake Charles, LA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $34,890
    25th
    $39,480
    50th (median)
    $48,520
    75th
    $60,280
    90th
    $70,210

    Lake Charles economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $67,010 2023 • Census ACS
    Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary vs area income 72% Median Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary is 28% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Paralegals and Legal Assistants

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $99,300
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $97,740
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $85,230
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $84,950
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $80,550
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $79,240

    Nearby metros — Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $97,740
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $85,230
    Midland, MI $78,120
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $77,550
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $74,470
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $69,060

    Related occupations in Lake Charles, LA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Lawyers$97,980
    Legal Support Workers, All Other$48,040

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Paralegals and Legal Assistants make per hour in Lake Charles?

    The median hourly wage for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Lake Charles, LA is $23.33, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $34.56 or more per hour.

    Is Lake Charles above or below average for Paralegals and Legal Assistants salaries?

    The median Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in Lake Charles, LA is 20.5% below the national median of $61,010. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Lake Charles?

    Entry-level Paralegals and Legal Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $34,890 per year in Lake Charles, LA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $39,480.