Bartender salary in Lake Charles, LA
Bartenders in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn a median of $18,280 a year ($8.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 550 workers.
Pay ranges from $15,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $34,480 for the top 10%. That is 47% lower than the national median of $34,340. Pay here is 12% lower than the Louisiana statewide median of $20,850. There are 5.4 bartenders per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $22,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bartenders in Lake Charles, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $15,080 | $7.25 |
| 25th percentile | $15,080 | $7.25 |
| Median | $18,280 | $8.79 |
| 75th percentile | $25,720 | $12.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $34,480 | $16.58 |
| Average (mean) | $22,980 | $11.05 |
Half of bartenders earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $1,523.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $761.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $703.08 |
| Weekly | $351.54 |
| Hourly | $8.79 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Bartender salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $21,230 | 4,200 |
| Hammond, LA | $20,650 | 220 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $20,640 | 1,810 |
| Monroe, LA | $20,060 | 200 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $19,990 | 520 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $19,770 | 700 |
| Lafayette, LA | $19,070 | 880 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $18,990 | 300 |
| Alexandria, LA | $17,840 | 160 |
Highest-paying states for bartenders
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $76,490 |
| New York | $61,210 |
| Washington | $55,830 |
| District of Columbia | $53,920 |
| Maine | $48,920 |
| Virginia | $47,070 |
| Vermont | $45,450 |
| Arizona | $45,070 |
| New Jersey | $44,020 |
| Oregon | $38,900 |
See Bartender pay in every state or the Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lake Charles, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $22,500 | $10.82 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $15,080 | $7.25 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $25,590 | $12.31 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $23,380 | $11.24 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $28,550 | $13.73 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $34,230 | $16.46 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $20,930 | $10.06 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $20,770 | $9.98 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $32,460 | $15.61 |
| Dishwasher | $24,760 | $11.91 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $20,470 | $9.84 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $43,520 | $20.93 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Lake Charles, LA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-3011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bartender make in Lake Charles, LA?
The median salary for bartenders in the Lake Charles, LA metro area is $18,280 a year, or $8.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $15,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $34,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bartenders make in Lake Charles, LA?
The top 10% of bartenders in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn at least $34,480 a year. The top 25% earn $25,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for bartenders in Lake Charles, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $15,080 a year, and a quarter of bartenders earn $15,080 or less.
How many bartenders work in Lake Charles, LA?
About 550 bartenders are employed in the Lake Charles, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.