Machinist salary in Lake Charles, LA
Machinists in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn a median of $75,580 a year ($36.34 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,260 for the top 10%. That is 29% higher than the national median of $58,750. Pay here is 24% higher than the Louisiana statewide median of $61,110. There are 2.8 machinists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $73,690, close to the median.
Pay range for machinists in Lake Charles, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,830 | $22.51 |
| 25th percentile | $58,530 | $28.14 |
| Median | $75,580 | $36.34 |
| 75th percentile | $83,060 | $39.93 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,260 | $52.05 |
| Average (mean) | $73,690 | $35.43 |
Half of machinists 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 | $6,298.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,149.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,906.92 |
| Weekly | $1,453.46 |
| Hourly | $36.34 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Machinist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | $67,700 | 870 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $66,990 | 550 |
| Monroe, LA | $63,350 | 130 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $61,700 | 110 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $60,440 | 340 |
| Lafayette, LA | $59,830 | 980 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $55,560 | 570 |
Highest-paying states for machinists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $84,410 |
| Alaska | $77,670 |
| District of Columbia | $72,900 |
| Massachusetts | $67,270 |
| Washington | $66,160 |
| Oregon | $63,820 |
| New Jersey | $63,190 |
| Wyoming | $63,070 |
| Vermont | $62,680 |
| Delaware | $62,650 |
See Machinist pay in every state or the Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lake Charles, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $72,920 | $35.06 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $74,220 | $35.68 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $92,560 | $44.50 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $102,310 | $49.19 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $46,590 | $22.40 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $63,570 | $30.56 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $27,460 | $13.20 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $47,270 | $22.73 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $37,590 | $18.07 |
| Baker | $28,510 | $13.71 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $36,100 | $17.36 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Lake Charles, LA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-4041. 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 machinist make in Lake Charles, LA?
The median salary for machinists in the Lake Charles, LA metro area is $75,580 a year, or $36.34 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid machinists make in Lake Charles, LA?
The top 10% of machinists in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn at least $108,260 a year. The top 25% earn $83,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for machinists in Lake Charles, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,830 a year, and a quarter of machinists earn $58,530 or less.
How many machinists work in Lake Charles, LA?
About 280 machinists are employed in the Lake Charles, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.