Nursing Assistant salary in Lake Charles, LA
Nursing Assistants in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn a median of $33,850 a year ($16.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 730 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,660 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $42,260. Pay here is 11% higher than the Louisiana statewide median of $30,510. There are 7.2 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.77). The average (mean) salary is $32,580, close to the median.
Pay range for nursing assistants in Lake Charles, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,490 | $13.22 |
| 25th percentile | $30,220 | $14.53 |
| Median | $33,850 | $16.27 |
| 75th percentile | $35,970 | $17.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,660 | $18.59 |
| Average (mean) | $32,580 | $15.66 |
Half of nursing assistants 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 | $2,820.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,410.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,301.92 |
| Weekly | $650.96 |
| Hourly | $16.27 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Nursing Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $34,320 | 3,660 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $34,050 | 1,030 |
| Hammond, LA | $33,010 | 600 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $32,160 | 2,330 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $31,220 | 3,500 |
| Alexandria, LA | $30,650 | 910 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $30,140 | 630 |
| Lafayette, LA | $29,960 | 1,990 |
| Monroe, LA | $29,880 | 1,340 |
Highest-paying states for nursing assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $49,830 |
| Washington | $49,180 |
| New York | $48,590 |
| New Hampshire | $47,870 |
| District of Columbia | $47,700 |
| California | $47,630 |
| Colorado | $47,380 |
| Vermont | $47,130 |
| Maine | $47,070 |
| New Jersey | $46,830 |
See Nursing Assistant pay in every state or the Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lake Charles, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $23,000 | $11.06 |
| Medical Assistant | $38,550 | $18.53 |
| Dental Assistant | $40,200 | $19.33 |
| Phlebotomist | $35,210 | $16.93 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $64,550 | $31.03 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $29,650 | $14.25 |
| Massage Therapist | $42,830 | $20.59 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $77,820 | $37.42 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Lake Charles, LA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-1131. 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 nursing assistant make in Lake Charles, LA?
The median salary for nursing assistants in the Lake Charles, LA metro area is $33,850 a year, or $16.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in Lake Charles, LA?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn at least $38,660 a year. The top 25% earn $35,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in Lake Charles, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,490 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $30,220 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in Lake Charles, LA?
About 730 nursing assistants are employed in the Lake Charles, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.