Physician Assistant salary in Lake Charles, LA
Physician Assistants in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn a median of $127,160 a year ($61.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,380 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $135,880. Pay here is 1% lower than the Louisiana statewide median of $128,870. There are 0.36 physician assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.35). The average (mean) salary is $124,110, close to the median.
Pay range for physician assistants in Lake Charles, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,930 | $28.33 |
| 25th percentile | $113,320 | $54.48 |
| Median | $127,160 | $61.13 |
| 75th percentile | $140,920 | $67.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $162,380 | $78.07 |
| Average (mean) | $124,110 | $59.67 |
Half of physician assistants 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 | $10,596.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,298.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,890.77 |
| Weekly | $2,445.38 |
| Hourly | $61.13 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $127,160 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Physician Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $138,310 | 110 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $135,960 | 60 |
| Lafayette, LA | $134,550 | 100 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $134,090 | 90 |
| Alexandria, LA | $132,710 | 50 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $130,670 | 360 |
| Monroe, LA | $126,190 | 50 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $124,580 | 400 |
Highest-paying states for physician assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $165,690 |
| California | $165,650 |
| Washington | $164,360 |
| Hawaii | $164,050 |
| New York | $160,880 |
| Oregon | $155,780 |
| New Hampshire | $150,960 |
| Alaska | $150,700 |
| Vermont | $150,490 |
| Massachusetts | $142,410 |
See Physician Assistant pay in every state or the Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lake Charles, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $90,690 | $43.60 |
| Pharmacist | $133,720 | $64.29 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $64,720 | $31.11 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,460 | $61.76 |
| Physical Therapist | $88,900 | $42.74 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,080 | $40.42 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Dentists, General | $114,470 | $55.03 |
| Occupational Therapist | $83,840 | $40.31 |
| Physicians, All Other | $284,440 | $136.75 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $73,680 | $35.42 |
| Veterinarian | $115,210 | $55.39 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $53,300 | $25.63 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $41,520 | $19.96 |
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 29-1071. 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 physician assistant make in Lake Charles, LA?
The median salary for physician assistants in the Lake Charles, LA metro area is $127,160 a year, or $61.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physician assistants make in Lake Charles, LA?
The top 10% of physician assistants in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn at least $162,380 a year. The top 25% earn $140,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for physician assistants in Lake Charles, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,930 a year, and a quarter of physician assistants earn $113,320 or less.
How many physician assistants work in Lake Charles, LA?
About 40 physician assistants are employed in the Lake Charles, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.