Construction Laborer Salary in Lake Charles, LA
Construction Laborers in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn a median $45,240 a year — 4% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $37,559 take-home, or $3,130 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median construction laborer salary in Lake Charles, LA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,249
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,805
- Medicare (1.45%)$656
- Louisiana income tax$971
- Take-home pay$37,559
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.00% state
Construction Laborer pay by experience in Lake Charles, LA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,370 | $14.60 | $26,057 | $2,171 |
| 25th percentile | $36,130 | $17.37 | $30,513 | $2,543 |
| Median (50th) | $45,240 | $21.75 | $37,559 | $3,130 |
| 75th percentile | $52,370 | $25.18 | $43,074 | $3,590 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $66,820 | $32.13 | $54,220 | $4,518 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Louisiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $45,240 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 construction laborer's $37,559 take-home pay has the buying power of $43,749 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 3.0× the national concentration of construction laborer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for construction laborers, adjusted for cost of living
Lake Charles, LA ranks #90 of 286 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vineland, NJ | $83,680 | $64,558 | $67,271 |
| 2 | Trenton, NJ | $71,920 | $57,000 | $55,243 |
| 3 | Kahului, HI | $79,760 | $60,410 | $55,222 |
| 4 | Duluth, MN | $61,340 | $48,819 | $54,996 |
| 5 | Decatur, IL | $61,270 | $48,522 | $54,876 |
| 6 | St. Louis, MO | $64,500 | $51,912 | $54,593 |
| 7 | Peoria, IL | $62,960 | $49,797 | $54,583 |
| 8 | Jefferson City, MO | $58,220 | $47,161 | $53,607 |
| 90 | Lake Charles, LA | $45,240 | $37,559 | $43,749 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 286 metros →
Construction Laborer salaries elsewhere in Louisiana
- Shreveport, LA — $38,480
- Lafayette, LA — $38,620
- Houma, LA — $36,890
- Alexandria, LA — $36,940
- Monroe, LA — $35,850
- Baton Rouge, LA — $38,650
- New Orleans, LA — $39,480
- Slidell, LA — $38,300
Frequently asked questions
How much does a construction laborer make in Lake Charles, LA?
The median construction laborer salary in the Lake Charles, LA metro area is $45,240 a year, or about $21.75 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,130 and $52,370.
What is a construction laborer’s take-home pay in Lake Charles, LA?
On the median $45,240 salary, a single filer living in Louisiana takes home about $37,559 a year ($3,130 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $971 in Louisiana taxes in 2026.
Is Lake Charles, LA a good place to work as a construction laborer?
Pay here is 4% below the national median of $47,120. Local prices are 14.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $43,749 would in a typical U.S. city. Lake Charles, LA ranks #90 of 286 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a construction laborer 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) — 29% of a median construction laborer’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
- Carpenter — $45,930