Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary in Lake Charles, LA
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn a median of $53,300 a year ($25.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 890 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,000 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $64,400. Pay here is 7% lower than the Louisiana statewide median of $57,470. There are 8.7 licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $54,490, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in Lake Charles, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,170 | $20.76 |
| 25th percentile | $50,620 | $24.34 |
| Median | $53,300 | $25.63 |
| 75th percentile | $60,330 | $29.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,000 | $29.81 |
| Average (mean) | $54,490 | $26.20 |
Half of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,441.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,220.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,050 |
| Weekly | $1,025 |
| Hourly | $25.63 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $53,300 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $60,640 | 2,940 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $59,700 | 2,900 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $59,500 | 960 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $58,340 | 1,840 |
| Hammond, LA | $55,840 | 470 |
| Monroe, LA | $55,360 | 1,130 |
| Alexandria, LA | $54,880 | 690 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $53,240 | 520 |
| Lafayette, LA | $51,580 | 2,100 |
Highest-paying states for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $83,150 |
| Alaska | $80,800 |
| Oregon | $80,470 |
| Massachusetts | $80,220 |
| Rhode Island | $80,090 |
| California | $79,750 |
| New Hampshire | $77,110 |
| Arizona | $77,070 |
| Nevada | $76,160 |
| District of Columbia | $75,740 |
See Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses pay in every state or the Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lake Charles, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | $41,520 | $19.96 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $34,550 | $16.61 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $60,020 | $28.86 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $35,370 | $17.01 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $41,160 | $19.79 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $36,260 | $17.44 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $38,430 | $18.47 |
| Surgical Technologist | $58,850 | $28.29 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $35,130 | $16.89 |
| Registered Nurse | $90,690 | $43.60 |
| Pharmacist | $133,720 | $64.29 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $64,720 | $31.11 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,460 | $61.76 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $47,880 | $23.02 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Lake Charles, LA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2061. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses make in Lake Charles, LA?
The median salary for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in the Lake Charles, LA metro area is $53,300 a year, or $25.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses make in Lake Charles, LA?
The top 10% of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn at least $62,000 a year. The top 25% earn $60,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in Lake Charles, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,170 a year, and a quarter of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earn $50,620 or less.
How many licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses work in Lake Charles, LA?
About 890 licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses are employed in the Lake Charles, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.