Electrician Salary in Lake Charles, LA: $64,969 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrician in Lake Charles, LA earns a median $64,969/year (≈ $31.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2111). Once you factor in Lake Charles's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.9), that paycheck buys what $75,676 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% above the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Electricians in Lake Charles, Louisiana are positioned well within their profession, with a projected median annual salary of $64,969 in 2026. This figure represents a slight increase over the national median of $64,530, highlighting strong competitive pay for local professionals. The salary range for electricians in the region spans from $37,682 at the 10th percentile to $98,842 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant earning potential for those with advanced skills, particularly in industrial controls and PLC specializations. The data is derived from official 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and reflects Lake Charles' burgeoning job market, which offers opportunities for growth and development within the electrical trade.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,682 | $18.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,661 | $23.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,969 | $31.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,976 | $35.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,842 | $47.52 |
Median Salary Position
0.68% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lake Charles
In Lake Charles, LA, the electrician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,160 (2026 est.). At $64,969, the local median is 0.68% above the national median of $64,530.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lake Charles: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lake Charles Electrician Pay Compares
Lake Charles median: $64,969/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lake Charles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $61,582 | +5.50% more |
| National Average | $64,530 | +0.68% more |
Electricians in Lake Charles, LA earn a median of $64,969 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.68% higher than the national median of $64,530 and 5.50% above the Louisiana state average of $61,582.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lake Charles has a cost of living 14.15% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lake Charles, LA has a cost-of-living index of 85.852 (below the national average of 100). A electrician earning $64,969 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $75,676 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.48% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,562
2025 BLS Actual
$63,620
2026 Current Est.
$64,969
2019–2027 Growth
+17.3%
Salary Trajectory for Electricians in Lake Charles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.12% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,562 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,830 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,680 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,730 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,870 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,320 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,620 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,969 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,346 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lake Charles metropolitan area, the median electrician salary grew 12.5% from $56,562 (2019) to $63,620 (2025). At a 2.12% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,346 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,784 (17.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake Charles metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.12% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $37,682 – $49,661 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,661 – $64,969 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,969 – $73,976 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,976 – $98,842 |
ELEC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrician Job Market in Lake Charles
With approximately 590 electricians currently employed in Lake Charles, the local job market shows a robust demand for qualified tradespeople. The cost of living index stands at 85.852, suggesting that wages in the area can stretch further relative to many urban centers. Top-paying employers include union electrical contractors affiliated with IBEW, which can offer a significant pay premium along with benefits, compared to non-union contractors focused on residential projects. Factors influencing salary variation include specialization, such as industrial controls and renewable energy, as well as union affiliation. For electricians looking to maximize their pay in Lake Charles, pursuing certifications in specialty areas like solar PV and EV installation or obtaining a master electrician license can provide substantial advantages in a competitive job market.
More salary data for Lake Charles, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst
Career Analyst
Samuel Carter has over 10 years of experience as an electrician. His focus includes residential wiring and safety standards. He has worked in various construction firms.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $63,620 for electriciansin the Lake Charles metropolitan area. A 2.12% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.12%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for electricians (SOC 47-2111).
Compiled and verified by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst, a licensed electrician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov