SOC 25-2052 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School — Lake Charles
Lake Charles, LA · 7 metro areas compared
In Lake Charles, LA the median wage is $51,630.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Lake Charles, LA the median wage is $51,630. That is 20.7% lower than the national median of $65,120. Pay ranges from under $51,630 at the tenth percentile to more than $61,140 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $51,630 to $57,220.
Employment stands at 300, or 3.0 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Shreveport records the highest median at $61,610. Of the 277 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 128th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $51,630 | −20.7% |
| 25th | $51,630 | −20.7% |
| Median (50th) | $51,630 | −20.7% |
| 75th | $57,220 | −12.1% |
| 90th | $61,140 | −6.1% |
| Mean | $53,370 | −18.0% |
Other metro areas in Louisiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shreveport | $61,610 | 410 | |
| 2 | Baton Rouge | $60,310 | 800 | |
| 3 | New Orleans | $60,000 | 850 | |
| 4 | Houma | $57,660 | 150 | |
| 5 | Monroe | $53,820 | 40 | |
| 6 | Alexandria | $48,710 | 160 | |
| 7 | Lafayette | $47,710 | 150 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Lake Charles run 11.8% below the national average, so the median of $51,630 goes as far as $58,537 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 10.1% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$51,630as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$58,537US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $51,630 a year, 20.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $51,630 to $61,140 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 300 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Shreveport, at $61,610.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in Lake Charles, LA?
The median annual wage is $51,630, 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 $65,120, so pay in Lake Charles, LA is 20.7% 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 $61,140 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $51,630 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 Shreveport, at $61,610 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 300 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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