Athletic Trainer Salary in Lake Charles, LA: $64,571 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Lake Charles, LA earns a median $64,571/year (≈ $31.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Lake Charles's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $71,507 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, athletic trainers in Lake Charles, Louisiana, can expect a median annual salary of $64,571, which is slightly lower than the national average of $65,415. The salary range varies significantly across the local market, with figures spanning from $52,269 at the 10th percentile to $93,010 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, reflect the trade-offs between different employment settings, such as the traditional school-year contracts and year-round positions found in industrial agriculture and occupational health environments. Ultimately, this variation creates a dynamic job market for athletic trainers in Lake Charles, LA, presenting multiple avenues for employment and compensation.
About the Lake Charles Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,269 | $25.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,336 | $28.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,571 | $31.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,167 | $37.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,010 | $44.72 |
Median Salary Position
1.29% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lake Charles
In Lake Charles, LA, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,741 (2026 est.). At $64,571, the local median is 1.29% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lake Charles: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lake Charles Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Lake Charles median: $64,571/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lake Charles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $65,422 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -1.29% less |
Athletic Trainers in Lake Charles, LA earn a median of $64,571 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.29% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 1.30% below the Louisiana state average of $65,422.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lake Charles has a cost of living 9.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lake Charles, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $64,571 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,507 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,816
2025 BLS Actual
$61,714
2026 Current Est.
$64,571
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Lake Charles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,816 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,217 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,796 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,146 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,183 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,347 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,714 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,571 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,561 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lake Charles metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $47,816 (2019) to $61,714 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,561 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,745 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake Charles metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.63% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $52,269 – $58,336 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,336 – $64,571 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,571 – $78,167 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,167 – $93,010 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Lake Charles
Currently, there are 15 athletic trainers employed in Lake Charles. While the cost of living index sits at 90.3—indicating that living expenses are lower than the national average—this can translate into enhanced purchasing power for local professionals. Among the various employers in the area, industrial settings, such as facilities operated by Toyota, Boeing, and FedEx, typically offer the highest athletic trainer pay in Lake Charles LA. Factors that influence salary disparities include the setting of employment, ranging from professional sports to high school athletic training, and the type of contract—year-round positions often providing greater financial incentives. Athletic trainers should also consider additional qualifications, such as specialized certifications, to maximize their earning potential and navigate the diverse opportunities available in the local market.
More salary data for Lake Charles, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can athletic trainers make $100K in Lake Charles?
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Written by Jordan Lee, MS, ATC
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in athletic training. She specializes in injury prevention and rehabilitation. She has worked at several high schools and collegiate athletic programs.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $61,714 for athletic trainersin the Lake Charles metropolitan area. A 4.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lake Charles is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.63%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for athletic trainers (SOC 29-9091).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, ATC, a licensed athletic trainer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov