Occupational Therapists pay range in Lake Charles
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $44,860 a year or less, while the top 10% make $128,410 or more. The middle half of occupational therapists in Lake Charles earn between $59,890 and $119,940.
- $45K10th
- $60K25th
- $84KMedian
- $120K75th
- $128K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $86,580 | $7,215 | $41.62 |
| Median | $83,840 | $6,987 | $40.31 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $59,890 | $4,991 | $28.79 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $119,940 | $9,995 | $57.66 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Occupational Therapists pay in Lake Charles vs. Louisiana and the U.S.
Occupational therapists in Lake Charles earn 7% less than the Louisiana average ($92,940) and 15% less than the U.S. average ($101,280). At the median the gap is -16% against the U.S. median of $100,330.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Charles | $86,580 | $83,840 | $44,860 | $128,410 | 70 |
| Louisiana | $92,940 | $98,490 | $61,070 | $126,630 | 2,060 |
| United States | $101,280 | $100,330 | $71,690 | $131,950 | 162,450 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Occupational Therapists salary after taxes in Lake Charles
On the average salary of $86,580, a single filer in Lake Charles takes home about $67,528 a year, or $5,627 a month and $2,597 every two weeks. Taxes take 22% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Lake Charles a good place for occupational therapists? 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 $86,580 buys what about $100,848 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Lake Charles ($45,700). A typical home costs $202,237, or 2.3 years of this average salary before tax.
Occupational Therapists salary in other Louisiana cities
Lake Charles ranks 8th of 10 Louisiana metro areas for this job; Alexandria pays the most ($99,100).
- Alexandria$99,100
- New Orleans$96,710
- Shreveport$94,840
- Baton Rouge$94,010
- Lafayette$90,070
- Monroe$89,800
- Houma$87,550
- Lake Charles$86,580
- Hammond$86,090
- Slidell$85,660
Highest-paying cities for occupational therapists
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($137,450).
- San Jose, CA$137,450
- San Francisco, CA$136,250
- Santa Cruz, CA$131,980
- Vallejo, CA$128,760
- Santa Rosa, CA$128,610
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Occupational Therapists salary in Lake Charles: questions
How much do occupational therapists make an hour in Lake Charles?
$41.63 an hour on average, and $40.31 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level occupational therapists salary in Lake Charles?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $44,860 a year and the 25th percentile is $59,890, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the occupational therapists take-home pay in Lake Charles?
About $67,528 a year ($5,627 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $86,580.
Do occupational therapists earn more in Lake Charles than elsewhere?
The average here is 15% less than the U.S. average for this job ($101,280).
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 29-1122; area Lake Charles, LA (29340). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 7.9%.
- 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 0.68, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.68).
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