Firefighter salary in Lake Charles, LA
Firefighters in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn a median of $29,550 a year ($14.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,470 for the top 10%. That is 50% lower than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 11% lower than the Louisiana statewide median of $33,120. There are 2.4 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $39,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Lake Charles, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,930 | $11.51 |
| 25th percentile | $29,370 | $14.12 |
| Median | $29,550 | $14.21 |
| 75th percentile | $46,770 | $22.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,470 | $29.55 |
| Average (mean) | $39,000 | $18.75 |
Half of firefighters 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 | $2,462.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,231.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,136.54 |
| Weekly | $568.27 |
| Hourly | $14.21 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Alexandria, LA | $38,010 | 290 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $37,620 | 700 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $37,250 | 1,110 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $33,260 | 1,060 |
| Lafayette, LA | $30,100 | 220 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $29,500 | 390 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $28,360 | 170 |
| Hammond, LA | $28,330 | 170 |
| Monroe, LA | $22,800 | 280 |
Highest-paying states for firefighters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $100,960 |
| Washington | $94,520 |
| California | $85,120 |
| New Jersey | $84,130 |
| Illinois | $78,380 |
| Connecticut | $77,630 |
| District of Columbia | $75,870 |
| Colorado | $74,170 |
| Maryland | $73,810 |
| Pennsylvania | $73,460 |
See Firefighter pay in every state or the Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lake Charles, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $56,290 | $27.06 |
| Security Guard | $29,740 | $14.30 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $72,230 | $34.73 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $25,210 | $12.12 |
| School Bus Monitor | $31,410 | $15.10 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $39,960 | $19.21 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $58,240 | $28.00 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $36,390 | $17.50 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $51,040 | $24.54 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $44,370 | $21.33 |
| Animal Control Worker | $38,020 | $18.28 |
More: Protective 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 33-2011. 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 firefighter make in Lake Charles, LA?
The median salary for firefighters in the Lake Charles, LA metro area is $29,550 a year, or $14.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Lake Charles, LA?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn at least $61,470 a year. The top 25% earn $46,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Lake Charles, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,930 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $29,370 or less.
How many firefighters work in Lake Charles, LA?
About 240 firefighters are employed in the Lake Charles, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.