Carpenter Salary in Lake Charles, LA
Carpenters in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn a median $45,930 a year — 24% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $38,093 take-home, or $3,174 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median carpenter salary in Lake Charles, LA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,332
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,848
- Medicare (1.45%)$666
- Louisiana income tax$992
- Take-home pay$38,093
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.00% state
Carpenter pay by experience in Lake Charles, LA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,000 | $15.38 | $27,318 | $2,277 |
| 25th percentile | $33,550 | $16.13 | $28,517 | $2,376 |
| Median (50th) | $45,930 | $22.08 | $38,093 | $3,174 |
| 75th percentile | $59,240 | $28.48 | $48,388 | $4,032 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,800 | $31.15 | $52,689 | $4,391 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Louisiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $45,930 buys in Lake Charles, LA
Prices in Lake Charles, LA are 14.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 48% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median carpenter's $38,093 take-home pay has the buying power of $44,371 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Lake Charles, LA has 1.4× the national concentration of carpenter jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for carpenters, adjusted for cost of living
Lake Charles, LA ranks #141 of 194 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oshkosh, WI | $84,430 | $65,132 | $70,088 |
| 2 | Peoria, IL | $75,280 | $58,208 | $63,803 |
| 3 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $94,310 | $69,540 | $62,670 |
| 4 | Rockford, IL | $72,770 | $56,566 | $61,382 |
| 5 | Springfield, MA | $75,520 | $58,402 | $60,797 |
| 6 | Chicago, IL | $80,440 | $61,583 | $59,445 |
| 7 | St. Louis, MO | $70,990 | $56,372 | $59,284 |
| 8 | Elkhart, IN | $65,520 | $52,922 | $58,591 |
| 141 | Lake Charles, LA | $45,930 | $38,093 | $44,371 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 194 metros →
Carpenter salaries elsewhere in Louisiana
- Baton Rouge, LA — $55,630
- Shreveport, LA — $46,920
- Lafayette, LA — $47,440
- New Orleans, LA — $50,130
- Slidell, LA — $48,310
Frequently asked questions
How much does a carpenter make in Lake Charles, LA?
The median carpenter salary in the Lake Charles, LA metro area is $45,930 a year, or about $22.08 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $33,550 and $59,240.
What is a carpenter’s take-home pay in Lake Charles, LA?
On the median $45,930 salary, a single filer living in Louisiana takes home about $38,093 a year ($3,174 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $992 in Louisiana taxes in 2026.
Is Lake Charles, LA a good place to work as a carpenter?
Pay here is 24% below the national median of $60,580. Local prices are 14.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $44,371 would in a typical U.S. city. Lake Charles, LA ranks #141 of 194 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a carpenter afford rent in Lake Charles, LA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Lake Charles, LA is $894 a month ($1,172 for two bedrooms) — 28% of a median carpenter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Lake Charles, LA
- First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $75,180
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $67,990
- Electrician — $63,620
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance — $46,810
- Construction Laborer — $45,240