Veterinarian salary in Lake Charles, LA
Veterinarians in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn a median of $115,210 a year ($55.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $72,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $153,670 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $130,100. Pay here is 7% lower than the Louisiana statewide median of $124,370. There are 0.55 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $117,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for veterinarians in Lake Charles, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $72,820 | $35.01 |
| 25th percentile | $74,430 | $35.79 |
| Median | $115,210 | $55.39 |
| 75th percentile | $143,210 | $68.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $153,670 | $73.88 |
| Average (mean) | $117,870 | $56.67 |
Half of veterinarians 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 | $9,600.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,800.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,431.15 |
| Weekly | $2,215.58 |
| Hourly | $55.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Veterinarian salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $128,500 | 130 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $128,360 | 200 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $126,890 | 160 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $124,970 | 80 |
| Lafayette, LA | $124,470 | 90 |
| Monroe, LA | $117,400 | 40 |
| Hammond, LA | $112,140 | 40 |
| Alexandria, LA | $104,580 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for veterinarians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $163,920 |
| Maryland | $163,170 |
| Washington | $160,510 |
| New Jersey | $160,140 |
| Arizona | $152,020 |
| Massachusetts | $140,260 |
| District of Columbia | $134,530 |
| Illinois | $133,580 |
| Pennsylvania | $133,520 |
| Minnesota | $133,110 |
See Veterinarian 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 |
| Physical Therapist | $88,900 | $42.74 |
| 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 |
| 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 29-1131. 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 veterinarian make in Lake Charles, LA?
The median salary for veterinarians in the Lake Charles, LA metro area is $115,210 a year, or $55.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $72,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $153,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in Lake Charles, LA?
The top 10% of veterinarians in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn at least $153,670 a year. The top 25% earn $143,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in Lake Charles, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $72,820 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $74,430 or less.
How many veterinarians work in Lake Charles, LA?
About 60 veterinarians are employed in the Lake Charles, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.