Physical Therapist salary in Lake Charles, LA
Physical Therapists in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn a median of $88,900 a year ($42.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,360 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $102,760. Pay here is 10% lower than the Louisiana statewide median of $98,530. There are 1.4 physical therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $97,350, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapists in Lake Charles, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,180 | $26.53 |
| 25th percentile | $71,580 | $34.41 |
| Median | $88,900 | $42.74 |
| 75th percentile | $106,810 | $51.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,360 | $62.67 |
| Average (mean) | $97,350 | $46.80 |
Half of physical therapists 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 | $7,408.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,704.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,419.23 |
| Weekly | $1,709.62 |
| Hourly | $42.74 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physical Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Alexandria, LA | $103,380 | 160 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $101,980 | 230 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $100,530 | 710 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $100,230 | 280 |
| Hammond, LA | $98,930 | 130 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $98,920 | 590 |
| Monroe, LA | $96,140 | 170 |
| Lafayette, LA | $84,340 | 290 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $78,320 | 180 |
Highest-paying states for physical therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $124,190 |
| Alaska | $115,280 |
| New Jersey | $112,140 |
| Nevada | $111,250 |
| Maryland | $106,890 |
| New Mexico | $106,880 |
| Washington | $105,950 |
| Texas | $105,810 |
| Illinois | $105,250 |
| Connecticut | $104,360 |
See Physical Therapist pay in every state or the Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lake Charles, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $90,690 | $43.60 |
| Pharmacist | $133,720 | $64.29 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $64,720 | $31.11 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,460 | $61.76 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,080 | $40.42 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Dentists, General | $114,470 | $55.03 |
| Occupational Therapist | $83,840 | $40.31 |
| Physicians, All Other | $284,440 | $136.75 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $73,680 | $35.42 |
| Veterinarian | $115,210 | $55.39 |
| Physician Assistant | $127,160 | $61.13 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $53,300 | $25.63 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $41,520 | $19.96 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Lake Charles, LA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1123. 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 physical therapist make in Lake Charles, LA?
The median salary for physical therapists in the Lake Charles, LA metro area is $88,900 a year, or $42.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapists make in Lake Charles, LA?
The top 10% of physical therapists in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn at least $130,360 a year. The top 25% earn $106,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapists in Lake Charles, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,180 a year, and a quarter of physical therapists earn $71,580 or less.
How many physical therapists work in Lake Charles, LA?
About 140 physical therapists are employed in the Lake Charles, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.