Childcare Worker salary in Lake Charles, LA
Childcare Workers in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn a median of $21,820 a year ($10.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $18,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $32,680 for the top 10%. That is 38% lower than the national median of $34,980. Pay here is 5% lower than the Louisiana statewide median of $22,900. There are 2.3 childcare workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.69). The average (mean) salary is $24,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for childcare workers in Lake Charles, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $18,450 | $8.87 |
| 25th percentile | $21,090 | $10.14 |
| Median | $21,820 | $10.49 |
| 75th percentile | $29,180 | $14.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $32,680 | $15.71 |
| Average (mean) | $24,900 | $11.97 |
Half of childcare workers 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 | $1,818.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $909.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $839.23 |
| Weekly | $419.62 |
| Hourly | $10.49 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Childcare Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $27,630 | 1,850 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $25,550 | 1,650 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $22,610 | 570 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $22,590 | 610 |
| Alexandria, LA | $22,350 | 280 |
| Hammond, LA | $22,150 | 350 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $22,100 | 260 |
| Lafayette, LA | $21,840 | 940 |
Highest-paying states for childcare workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $47,340 |
| Washington | $41,680 |
| Massachusetts | $40,900 |
| Colorado | $40,750 |
| California | $40,020 |
| Oregon | $38,650 |
| Vermont | $38,030 |
| New York | $37,590 |
| New Hampshire | $37,080 |
| Hawaii | $37,030 |
See Childcare Worker pay in every state or the Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lake Charles, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Recreation Worker | $26,370 | $12.68 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $36,480 | $17.54 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $36,260 | $17.43 |
| Gambling Dealer | $15,080 | $7.25 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $26,600 | $12.79 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $23,840 | $11.46 |
| Animal Caretaker | $26,160 | $12.58 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $25,700 | $12.36 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $39,760 | $19.12 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $37,350 | $17.96 |
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | $51,380 | $24.70 |
| Skincare Specialist | $28,090 | $13.51 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Lake Charles, LA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 39-9011. 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 childcare worker make in Lake Charles, LA?
The median salary for childcare workers in the Lake Charles, LA metro area is $21,820 a year, or $10.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $18,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $32,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid childcare workers make in Lake Charles, LA?
The top 10% of childcare workers in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn at least $32,680 a year. The top 25% earn $29,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for childcare workers in Lake Charles, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $18,450 a year, and a quarter of childcare workers earn $21,090 or less.
How many childcare workers work in Lake Charles, LA?
About 240 childcare workers are employed in the Lake Charles, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.