Chemical Engineer salary in Lake Charles, LA
Chemical Engineers in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn a median of $136,810 a year ($65.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $95,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $177,790 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $125,040. Pay here is 1% higher than the Louisiana statewide median of $134,800. There are 0.97 chemical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 7.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $144,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical engineers in Lake Charles, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $95,280 | $45.81 |
| 25th percentile | $115,530 | $55.55 |
| Median | $136,810 | $65.77 |
| 75th percentile | $177,790 | $85.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $177,790 | $85.48 |
| Average (mean) | $144,900 | $69.66 |
Half of chemical engineers 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 | $11,400.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,700.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,261.92 |
| Weekly | $2,630.96 |
| Hourly | $65.77 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemical Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $136,870 | 190 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $134,800 | 360 |
Highest-paying states for chemical engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $158,190 |
| Virginia | $136,380 |
| Alabama | $135,030 |
| Louisiana | $134,800 |
| Delaware | $133,670 |
| Texas | $132,750 |
| West Virginia | $129,210 |
| New York | $129,060 |
| Washington | $128,290 |
| Oklahoma | $127,790 |
See Chemical Engineer pay in every state or the Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lake Charles, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Engineers, All Other | $94,810 | $45.58 |
| Industrial Engineer | $129,260 | $62.14 |
| Civil Engineer | $97,490 | $46.87 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $126,090 | $60.62 |
| Electrical Engineer | $129,940 | $62.47 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $125,670 | $60.42 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $63,840 | $30.69 |
| Drafters, All Other | $71,690 | $34.46 |
| Surveyor | $64,520 | $31.02 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $79,540 | $38.24 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $97,740 | $46.99 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Lake Charles, LA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2041. 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 chemical engineer make in Lake Charles, LA?
The median salary for chemical engineers in the Lake Charles, LA metro area is $136,810 a year, or $65.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $95,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $177,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical engineers make in Lake Charles, LA?
The top 10% of chemical engineers in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn at least $177,790 a year. The top 25% earn $177,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical engineers in Lake Charles, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $95,280 a year, and a quarter of chemical engineers earn $115,530 or less.
How many chemical engineers work in Lake Charles, LA?
About 100 chemical engineers are employed in the Lake Charles, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.