SOC 31-9092 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Medical Assistants — Lake Charles
Lake Charles, LA · 9 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Lake Charles, LA is $38,550 a year, trailing the national median of $45,690 by 15.6%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Lake Charles, LA is $38,550 a year, trailing the national median of $45,690 by 15.6%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $34,270 and $38,550. The lowest tenth earn under $30,440, while the highest tenth earn more than $38,550.
The area has 1,510 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 2.83 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Baton Rouge records the highest median at $36,900. Of the 277 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 190th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $30,440 | −33.4% |
| 25th | $34,270 | −25.0% |
| Median (50th) | $38,550 | −15.6% |
| 75th | $38,550 | −15.6% |
| 90th | $38,550 | −15.6% |
| Mean | $36,320 | −20.5% |
Other metro areas in Louisiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baton Rouge | $36,900 | 2,180 | |
| 2 | New Orleans | $36,780 | 2,870 | |
| 3 | Hammond | $36,680 | 330 | |
| 4 | Shreveport | $36,210 | 960 | |
| 5 | Slidell | $35,950 | 860 | |
| 6 | Lafayette | $34,940 | 1,170 | |
| 7 | Monroe | $34,430 | 550 | |
| 8 | Houma | $34,420 | 480 | |
| 9 | Alexandria | $34,290 | 430 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Lake Charles run 11.8% below the national average, so the median of $38,550 goes as far as $43,707 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 4.3% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$38,550as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$43,707US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $38,550 a year, 15.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $30,440 to $38,550 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,510 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Baton Rouge, at $36,900.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Medical Assistants in Lake Charles, LA?
The median annual wage is $38,550, or $18.53 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $45,690, so pay in Lake Charles, LA is 15.6% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Lake Charles, LA earns more than $38,550 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $30,440 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Baton Rouge, at $36,900 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,510 jobs in this occupation in Lake Charles, LA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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