Lake Charles Employment

Employment and Industries in the Lake Charles, Louisiana Area

Lake Charles is a major petrochemical refining center and it's also a popular gaming center. Many of the residents work in the region's petrochemical refineries. Some of the notable companies in the region are Conoco Philips, PPG Industries and Citgo Petroleum Corporation. Manufacturing is also part of the economy. Lake Charles is also home to the Trunkline LNG terminal. In addition, the city is known as the Festival Capital of Louisiana, thus tourism is a significant contributor to the economy.

The Southwest Louisiana Business Incubator offers a variety of support to young businesses. The organization offers facilities, counseling and training. Also, the Fusion Five organization was created by and for young professionals with the goal of changing the economic and social landscape in Southwest Louisiana.

The city's largest job providing sectors include healthcare, education, construction, petrochemicals, accommodation and food services, arts, entertainment and recreation; and social assistance. About 28% of the workforce is comprised of management, professional and related workers. Approximately 24% of the workers are employed in sales and office occupations.

Shown below is a list of the top employers in Lake Charles:

  • Calcasieu Veterinary Medical Association, Inc
  • MBS Answering Service
  • St. Charles Gaming Co, Inc
  • PNK (Lake Charles), LLC
  • SWLHS Inc
  • Southwest Louisiana Hospital Association
  • Southwest Louisiana Memorial Foundation
  • City of Lake Charles
  • Christus Health Southwestern Louisiana
  • McNeese State University
  • Era Helicopters, LLC
  • Parish of Calcasieu
  • US Unwired Inc
  • The American Citidel Guard Inc
  • W & R Food Services, Inc
  • Turner Industries Group, LLC
  • PPG Industries
  • CITGO Petroleum Corporation - Lake Charles
  • Conoco Phillips
  • Westlake Chemical Corporation
  • Sasal North America
  • AEROFRAME Services
  • Dunham Price Group, LLC
  • ReCon Management Services
  • AT&T

Notable data about Lake Charles, Louisiana: The average earnings in the city in 2009 was $34,000. In 2008 the cost of living index in the city was 83.1 which is low when compared to the national average of 100. Regarding the adult residents, approximately 20% have achieved a bachelor's degree or higher.

Local companies have opportunities to work in partnership with helpful associations including:

People interested in staying up-to-date with local business and industry activities can read the American Press.

Jobs in Lake Charles

RankTitleTotal EmployeesLocal Mean Salary (Per Year)Local Mean Salary (Per hour)National Growth % 2014-2024
1All Occupations115770$47,300$22.74100
2Office and Administrative Support Occupations13200$34,300$16.4913.75
3Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations10120$21,620$10.48.7
4Sales and Related Occupations9760$32,050$15.419.5
5Transportation and Material Moving Occupations8320$36,010$17.316.7
6Production Occupations7930$62,720$30.165.6
7Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations6200$50,920$24.483.75
8Educational Instruction and Library Occupations6020$41,370$19.896
9Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations6020$65,660$31.575.85
10Healthcare Support Occupations3850$23,710$11.42.85
11Cashiers3410$21,200$10.192.2
12Business and Financial Operations Occupations3180$67,520$32.465.35
13Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations2880$25,090$12.063.6
14Personal Care and Service Occupations2830$23,640$11.374.65
15Retail Salespersons2790$24,510$11.782.7
16Architecture and Engineering Occupations2660$86,760$41.711.7
17Office Clerks, General2610$26,740$12.851.9
18Protective Service Occupations2530$37,240$17.92.2
19Waiters and Waitresses2490$19,200$9.231.65
20Food Preparation Workers2360$19,160$9.210.5
21Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand2200$29,980$14.421.8
22Registered Nurses1770$61,530$29.581.95
23Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive1740$30,950$14.881.4
24First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers1720$71,610$34.430.4
25Stockers and Order Fillers1570$25,060$12.051.25
26General and Operations Managers1550$137,050$65.891.5
27Home Health and Personal Care Aides1550$19,320$9.290
28Fast Food and Counter Workers1510$19,210$9.242.45
29Community and Social Service Occupations1470$46,750$22.481.75
30Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners1300$24,090$11.581.5
31Maintenance and Repair Workers, General1260$36,580$17.580.9
32Chemical Plant and System Operators1210$71,120$34.190
33Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations1180$68,730$33.040.8
34First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers1170$52,600$25.290.95
35Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters1150$42,920$20.640
36Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks1110$37,590$18.071.05
37Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers1090$46,640$22.431.2
38First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers980$76,880$36.960.4
39Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products970$64,540$31.030.85
40Customer Service Representatives960$30,280$14.561.75
41Security Guards920$26,460$12.720.7
42Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other910$63,340$30.450.7
43Nursing Assistants900$23,260$11.180.95
44Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers880$54,630$26.260.1
45First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers880$44,210$21.250.95
46Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses870$38,920$18.710.5
47Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners830$20,650$9.930.9
48Receptionists and Information Clerks820$23,360$11.230.7
49Helpers--Electricians800$41,620$20.010
50Computer and Mathematical Occupations760$61,250$29.453
51First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers720$35,260$16.950.6
52Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations690$66,170$31.811.8
53Cooks, Restaurant670$22,500$10.820.9
54Legal Occupations670$64,570$31.040.8
55Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants660$43,030$20.690.35
56Light Truck Drivers650$36,460$17.530.6
57First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers590$70,440$33.870.3
58Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers580$58,730$28.240.35
59Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders550$58,840$28.290.05
60Engineers, All Other520$98,110$47.170.1
61Structural Iron and Steel Workers510$60,280$28.980.05
62Industrial Machinery Mechanics500$58,360$28.060.2
63Correctional Officers and Jailers490$34,040$16.370.25
64Tellers470$27,570$13.250.25
65Crematory Operators and Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other440$19,490$9.370.1
66Accountants and Auditors430$82,110$39.480.9
67Bartenders430$18,900$9.090.4
68Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors430$61,580$29.610.2
69Gambling Change Persons and Booth Cashiers410$22,870$110
70Millwrights370$66,440$31.940
71Riggers370$55,480$26.670
72Chemical Engineers360$99,380$47.780
73Cost Estimators340$67,490$32.450.1
74Medical Assistants330$26,840$12.910.45
75Production Workers, All Other330$58,550$28.150.15
76Helpers--Carpenters320$41,230$19.820
77Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons320$36,900$17.740
78Lawyers320$87,370$42.010.5
79Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks310$21,520$10.350.15
80Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other310$52,970$25.470
81Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks310$37,520$18.040.4
82Childcare Workers300$18,190$8.740.7
83Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment300$25,080$12.060.3
84Medical Dosimetrists, Medical Records Specialists, and Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other300$39,910$19.190
85First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors290$60,160$28.920.3
86Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines290$51,030$24.530.1
87Pharmacy Technicians290$33,240$15.980.3
88Boilermakers280$62,100$29.860
89Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop280$19,840$9.540.3
90Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics270$40,110$19.290.5
91Food Servers, Nonrestaurant270$19,520$9.380.2
92Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers270$25,410$12.220.75
93Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians260$45,760$220.2
94Dishwashers260$18,730$9.010.3
95Financial Managers260$107,810$51.830.4
96Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers260$38,720$18.620.4
97Postal Service Mail Carriers260$50,500$24.280.2
98Billing and Posting Clerks250$34,090$16.390.3
99Dental Assistants250$32,130$15.440.2
100Driver/Sales Workers250$30,620$14.720.3
Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov
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Additional Details

Lake Charles Colleges
Lake Charles colleges and trade schools.

Jobs More Common Near Lake Charles Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$47,300115,770
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$34,30013,200
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$21,62010,120
Sales and Related Occupations$32,0509,760
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$36,0108,320
Production Occupations$62,7207,930
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$50,9206,200
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$41,3706,020
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$65,6606,020
Healthcare Support Occupations$23,7103,850
Cashiers$21,2003,410
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$67,5203,180
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$25,0902,880
Personal Care and Service Occupations$23,6402,830
Retail Salespersons$24,5102,790
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$86,7602,660
Office Clerks, General$26,7402,610
Protective Service Occupations$37,2402,530
Waiters and Waitresses$19,2002,490
Food Preparation Workers$19,1602,360
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$29,9802,200
Registered Nurses$61,5301,770
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$30,9501,740
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$71,6101,720
Stockers and Order Fillers$25,0601,570
General and Operations Managers$137,0501,550
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$19,3201,550
Fast Food and Counter Workers$19,2101,510
Community and Social Service Occupations$46,7501,470
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$24,0901,300
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$36,5801,260
Chemical Plant and System Operators$71,1201,210
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$68,7301,180
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$52,6001,170
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$42,9201,150
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$37,5901,110
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$46,6401,090
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$76,880980
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$64,540970
Customer Service Representatives$30,280960
Security Guards$26,460920
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$63,340910
Nursing Assistants$23,260900
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$54,630880
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$44,210880
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$38,920870
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$20,650830
Receptionists and Information Clerks$23,360820
Helpers--Electricians$41,620800
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$61,250760

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Lake Charles, Louisiana Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$47,300115,770
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$34,30013,200
Sales and Related Occupations$32,0509,760
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$36,0108,320
Production Occupations$62,7207,930
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$50,9206,200
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$41,3706,020
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$65,6606,020
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$67,5203,180
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$25,0902,880
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$86,7602,660
Office Clerks, General$26,7402,610
Protective Service Occupations$37,2402,530
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$29,9802,200
Registered Nurses$61,5301,770
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$30,9501,740
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$71,6101,720
Stockers and Order Fillers$25,0601,570
General and Operations Managers$137,0501,550
Community and Social Service Occupations$46,7501,470
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$36,5801,260
Chemical Plant and System Operators$71,1201,210
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$68,7301,180
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$52,6001,170
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$42,9201,150
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$37,5901,110
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$46,6401,090
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$76,880980
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$64,540970
Customer Service Representatives$30,280960
Security Guards$26,460920
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$63,340910
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$54,630880
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$44,210880
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$38,920870
Helpers--Electricians$41,620800
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$61,250760
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$35,260720
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$66,170690
Legal Occupations$64,570670
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$43,030660
Light Truck Drivers$36,460650
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$70,440590
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$58,730580
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders$58,840550
Engineers, All Other$98,110520
Structural Iron and Steel Workers$60,280510
Industrial Machinery Mechanics$58,360500
Correctional Officers and Jailers$34,040490
Tellers$27,570470

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