SOC 25-2021 · Lake Charles, LA metro

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education Salary in Lake Charles, LA

The average salary for elementary school teachers (except special education) in Lake Charles, Louisiana is $52,340 a year, according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $51,520: half of the 1,090 people in this job in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 28% less than the U.S. average for this job ($72,650).

$52,340average per year

Median $51,520Take-home ≈ $43,051

  • $48K10th
  • $52K25th
  • $52KMedian
  • $56K75th
  • $61K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

1,090people in this job
-28%vs U.S. average
#7 of 10Louisiana metros
86cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education pay range in Lake Charles

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $48,270 a year or less, while the top 10% make $60,680 or more. The middle half of elementary school teachers (except special education) in Lake Charles earn between $51,520 and $56,430.

  • $48K10th
  • $52K25th
  • $52KMedian
  • $56K75th
  • $61K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$52,340$4,362—
Median$51,520$4,293—
Entry level (25th percentile)$51,520$4,293—
Experienced (75th percentile)$56,430$4,702—

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year (BLS publishes this job's pay as annual only). Hourly to annual salary.

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education pay in Lake Charles vs. Louisiana and the U.S.

Elementary school teachers (except special education) in Lake Charles earn 10% less than the Louisiana average ($58,170) and 28% less than the U.S. average ($72,650). At the median the gap is -19% against the U.S. median of $63,970.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Lake Charles$52,340$51,520$48,270$60,6801,090
Louisiana$58,170$58,770$46,680$76,38022,060
United States$72,650$63,970$47,960$104,3401,388,390

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary after taxes in Lake Charles

On the average salary of $52,340, a single filer in Lake Charles takes home about $43,051 a year, or $3,588 a month and $1,656 every two weeks. Taxes take 18% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).

Louisiana paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Lake Charles a good place for elementary school teachers (except special education)? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Lake Charles area are 14% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 85.9), so the average $52,340 buys what about $60,965 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.1 times the median wage of all jobs in Lake Charles ($45,700). A typical home costs $202,237, or 3.9 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $52,340 is worth in another city

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary in other Louisiana cities

Lake Charles ranks 7th of 10 Louisiana metro areas for this job; Shreveport pays the most ($64,580).

All Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salaries in Louisiana

Highest-paying cities for elementary school teachers (except special education)

Mount Vernon, WA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($106,760).

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary by city

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Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary in Lake Charles: questions

What is the entry-level elementary school teachers (except special education) salary in Lake Charles?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $48,270 a year and the 25th percentile is $51,520, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the elementary school teachers (except special education) take-home pay in Lake Charles?

About $43,051 a year ($3,588 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $52,340.

Do elementary school teachers (except special education) earn more in Lake Charles than elsewhere?

The average here is 28% less than the U.S. average for this job ($72,650).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 25-2021; area Lake Charles, LA (29340). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 0.4%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
  • Job concentration: location quotient 1.20, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.

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