Anesthesiologist Salary in Lake Charles, LA: $393,497 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time anesthesiologist in Lake Charles, LA earns a median $393,497/year (≈ $189.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1211). Once you factor in Lake Charles's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $435,766 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median compensation of $393,497 in 2026, anesthesiologists in Lake Charles, LA, find themselves in a unique position compared to national figures. The salary range spans from $228,228 at the 10th percentile to $568,139 at the 90th percentile, showcasing a significant spread that reflects both the burden of call schedules and variations in practice settings. Estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data indicate that local conditions, including the prevalence of anesthesiology groups and hospital systems, along with cost-of-living factors, play a pivotal role in shaping these earnings. Adjustments for regional price parity suggest that despite slightly lower compensation compared to the national median of $409,107, the opportunities in Lake Charles present an attractive option for professionals in the field.
About the Lake Charles Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($340,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $228,228 | $109.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $283,317 | $136.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $393,497 | $189.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $499,674 | $240.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $568,139 | $273.14 |
Median Salary Position
3.82% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lake Charles
In Lake Charles, LA, the anesthesiologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $339,911 (2026 est.). At $393,497, the local median is 3.82% below the national median of $409,107.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lake Charles: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lake Charles Anesthesiologist Pay Compares
Lake Charles median: $393,497/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lake Charles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $398,680 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $409,107 | -3.82% less |
Anesthesiologists in Lake Charles, LA earn a median of $393,497 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.82% lower than the national median of $409,107 and 1.30% below the Louisiana state average of $398,680.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lake Charles has a cost of living 9.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lake Charles, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A anesthesiologist earning $393,497 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $435,766 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$289,153
2025 BLS Actual
$376,552
2026 Current Est.
$393,497
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Salary Trajectory for Anesthesiologists in Lake Charles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $289,153 | Actual |
| 2020 | $302,165 | Actual |
| 2021 | $315,762 | Actual |
| 2022 | $329,971 | Actual |
| 2023 | $344,820 | Actual |
| 2024 | $303,038 | Actual |
| 2025 | $376,552 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $393,497 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $411,204 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lake Charles metropolitan area, the median anesthesiologist salary grew 30.2% from $289,153 (2019) to $376,552 (2025). At a 4.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $411,204 by 2027 — a total increase of $122,051 (42.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake Charles metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $228,228 – $283,317 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $283,317 – $393,497 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $393,497 – $499,674 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $499,674 – $568,139 |
ANES salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual anesthesiologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Anesthesiologist Job Market in Lake Charles
There's a healthy job market for anesthesiologists in Lake Charles, with 15 currently employed in the area, which facilitates competition among local employers. The cost of living index, currently at 90.3, means that take-home pay for anesthesiologists can be relatively beneficial when adjusted for regional expenses. The highest compensation packages are typically offered by hospital systems that employ anesthesiologists directly, while private anesthesia group practices may allow for higher earning potential through partnership tracks but may come with increased responsibilities and call obligations. Factors such as case volume, operational efficiency, and whether the position is hospital-employed or with a group can create notable earnings discrepancies. Strategies to maximize anesthesiologist pay in Lake Charles include pursuing high-volume practices, negotiating RVU bonuses, and potentially considering fellowship training for specialized roles that are in demand, contributing to higher compensation pathways.
More salary data for Lake Charles, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do anesthesiologists make in Lake Charles, LA in 2026?
Is Lake Charles, LA a good place to work as a anesthesiologist?
Can anesthesiologists make $100K in Lake Charles?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted anesthesiologist salary in Lake Charles?
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Written by Dr. Maria Chen, MD
Career Analyst
Dr. Chen has over 10 years of experience in anesthesiology. She specializes in perioperative care at a major metropolitan hospital.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $376,552 for anesthesiologistsin the Lake Charles metropolitan area. A 4.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lake Charles is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for anesthesiologists (SOC 29-1211).
Compiled and verified by Dr. Maria Chen, MD, a licensed anesthesiologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov