What this means Our calculation
5 of 24 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is electrical lineworkers at $78,190. Prices run 14% below the U.S. average, so a paycheck here is worth more than the same dollars elsewhere. For the wider job market, unemployment is higher than most metros (4.5%) and the population is shrinking (-3.8% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Lake Charles Government data
All 24 trades
Vs. U.S. compares with the typical metro for that trade. Jobs are employment estimates, not open positions. Click a column to sort.
| Trade | Median pay | Vs. U.S. | Real pay | Jobs | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Lineworker | $78,190 | -19% | $91,075 | 140 | #212 |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | $76,070 | +22% | $88,606 | 180 | #51 |
| Machinist | $75,580 | +32% | $88,035 | 280 | #5 |
| Construction Supervisor | $75,180 | -3% | $87,569 | 970 | #247 |
| Welder | $72,920 | +39% | $84,937 | 970 | #7 |
| Plumber | $67,990 | +11% | $79,194 | 560 | #118 |
| Electrician | $63,620 | +2% | $74,104 | 590 | #176 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $59,870 | -6% | $69,736 | 460 | #321 |
| Building Inspector | $58,740 | -13% | $68,420 | 70 | #294 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $57,410 | -5% | $66,871 | 140 | #285 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $55,580 | -10% | $64,739 | 80 | #178 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $49,270 | -17% | $57,389 | 410 | #292 |
| Glazier | $47,980 | -13% | $55,887 | 40 | #115 |
| HVAC Technician | $47,360 | -21% | $55,165 | 220 | #370 |
| Painter | $46,810 | -2% | $54,524 | 530 | #214 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $46,210 | -11% | $53,825 | 80 | #338 |
| Maintenance Technician | $46,170 | -4% | $53,779 | 1,350 | #273 |
| Carpenter | $45,930 | -18% | $53,499 | 630 | #356 |
| Auto Mechanic | $45,540 | -7% | $53,045 | 520 | #339 |
| Construction Laborer | $45,240 | -3% | $52,695 | 2,130 | #241 |
| Rigger | $44,770 | -26% | $52,148 | 60 | #66 |
| Hazmat Removal Worker | $37,670 | -22% | $43,878 | 110 | #131 |
| Pest Control Technician | $36,350 | -18% | $42,340 | 120 | #227 |
| Landscaper | $34,030 | -9% | $39,638 | 490 | #359 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Lake Charles
The Lake Charles area has about 115,312 homes. 39% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is newer than most; 24% were built in 2010 or later. 74% of households own their home, and the median home value is $213,100.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Lake Charles Government data
In an average year, Lake Charles has 88 days at 90°F or hotter (more than most metros; typical metro 33), including 1 at 100°F or more, 11 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 71 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more. Summer afternoons average 92°F and winter nights 45°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Lake Charles, LA station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
4.5% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Lake Charles area's population shrank 3.8% from 2020 to 2025 (254,332 → 244,655), ranking #381 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). More people moved out than in (net -10,158).
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Lake Charles are down 49% from 2021 to 2025 (1,064 → 546). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Lake Charles area is 23 minutes each way, about the same as the typical metro (24 min). 10% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 80% drive alone, 1% take transit and 6% work from home (all workers, not just trades).
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table S0801).
Licensing in Louisiana Official source
The main state licensing office in Louisiana is the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors. It can point you to the right license for skilled trades.
Official Louisiana licensing site ↗
Requirements for skilled trades vary by state and sometimes by city; always confirm with the official agency.
Union membership
In 2025, 4.4% of wage and salary workers in Louisiana were union members, below the U.S. rate of about 10% (#43 of 51 states and D.C.), and 5.5% were covered by a union contract. These figures cover all jobs in the state, not only the trades.
BLS Union Members, 2025 (Current Population Survey), table 5.
Nearby metros
Compare any trade in two cities with city vs. city, or see every metro in Louisiana.