Civil Engineer salary in Lake Charles, LA
Civil Engineers in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn a median of $97,490 a year ($46.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $156,930 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $100,840. Pay here is 7% lower than the Louisiana statewide median of $105,380. There are 1.2 civil engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.49). The average (mean) salary is $100,830, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for civil engineers in Lake Charles, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,620 | $20.49 |
| 25th percentile | $65,720 | $31.60 |
| Median | $97,490 | $46.87 |
| 75th percentile | $128,920 | $61.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $156,930 | $75.45 |
| Average (mean) | $100,830 | $48.48 |
Half of civil 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 | $8,124.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,062.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,749.62 |
| Weekly | $1,874.81 |
| Hourly | $46.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Civil Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | $112,430 | 1,140 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $108,240 | 1,070 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $107,400 | 130 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $101,820 | 240 |
| Monroe, LA | $99,180 | 110 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $98,550 | 210 |
| Lafayette, LA | $97,410 | 360 |
| Alexandria, LA | $92,290 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for civil engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $122,500 |
| Alaska | $114,730 |
| Washington | $110,000 |
| Massachusetts | $106,730 |
| Louisiana | $105,380 |
| Oregon | $105,250 |
| New Jersey | $104,660 |
| Nevada | $104,310 |
| New Mexico | $103,900 |
| District of Columbia | $103,880 |
See Civil 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 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $126,090 | $60.62 |
| Chemical Engineer | $136,810 | $65.77 |
| 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 17-2051. 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 civil engineer make in Lake Charles, LA?
The median salary for civil engineers in the Lake Charles, LA metro area is $97,490 a year, or $46.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $156,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid civil engineers make in Lake Charles, LA?
The top 10% of civil engineers in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn at least $156,930 a year. The top 25% earn $128,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for civil engineers in Lake Charles, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,620 a year, and a quarter of civil engineers earn $65,720 or less.
How many civil engineers work in Lake Charles, LA?
About 120 civil engineers are employed in the Lake Charles, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.