Retail Salesperson Salary in Lake Charles, LA
Retail Salespersons in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn a median $28,780 a year — 19% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $24,828 take-home, or $2,069 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median retail salesperson salary in Lake Charles, LA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,274
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,784
- Medicare (1.45%)$417
- Louisiana income tax$477
- Take-home pay$24,828
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.00% state
Retail Salesperson pay by experience in Lake Charles, LA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,190 | $10.67 | $19,604 | $1,634 |
| 25th percentile | $24,020 | $11.55 | $21,056 | $1,755 |
| Median (50th) | $28,780 | $13.84 | $24,828 | $2,069 |
| 75th percentile | $35,790 | $17.21 | $30,250 | $2,521 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,760 | $22.00 | $37,962 | $3,163 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Louisiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $28,780 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 retail salesperson's $24,828 take-home pay has the buying power of $28,919 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Retail Salesperson jobs are about as common in Lake Charles, LA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.03).
Best-paying cities for retail salespersons, adjusted for cost of living
Lake Charles, LA ranks #121 of 237 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fargo, ND | $35,860 | $30,994 | $34,107 |
| 2 | St. Cloud, MN | $34,860 | $29,144 | $33,257 |
| 3 | Yakima, WA | $36,640 | $31,620 | $33,095 |
| 4 | Sioux Falls, SD | $34,600 | $29,981 | $33,080 |
| 5 | Rochester, MN | $36,000 | $29,999 | $33,030 |
| 6 | San Jose, CA | $44,220 | $36,378 | $32,944 |
| 7 | Duluth, MN | $34,650 | $28,986 | $32,654 |
| 8 | Rapid City, SD | $33,350 | $28,977 | $32,500 |
| 121 | Lake Charles, LA | $28,780 | $24,828 | $28,919 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 237 metros →
Retail Salesperson salaries elsewhere in Louisiana
- Shreveport, LA — $28,990
- Monroe, LA — $27,710
- Baton Rouge, LA — $30,070
- Lafayette, LA — $28,600
- New Orleans, LA — $30,400
- Slidell, LA — $29,280
Frequently asked questions
How much does a retail salesperson make in Lake Charles, LA?
The median retail salesperson salary in the Lake Charles, LA metro area is $28,780 a year, or about $13.84 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $24,020 and $35,790.
What is a retail salesperson’s take-home pay in Lake Charles, LA?
On the median $28,780 salary, a single filer living in Louisiana takes home about $24,828 a year ($2,069 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $477 in Louisiana taxes in 2026.
Is Lake Charles, LA a good place to work as a retail salesperson?
Pay here is 19% below the national median of $35,410. Local prices are 14.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $28,919 would in a typical U.S. city. Lake Charles, LA ranks #121 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a retail salesperson 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) — 43% of a median retail salesperson’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Lake Charles, LA
- Cashier — $27,480