Police Officer Hourly Pay in Lake Charles, LA: $27.89 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Lake Charles, LA runs $27.89 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,012 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Lake Charles's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.9, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.48 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,804 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lake Charles, Louisiana, police officer hourly pay is projected to be $27.89 in 2026, which falls significantly below the national median of $37.76. This disparity highlights the regional pay scale for these vital public service roles, where entry-level positions start at approximately $22.41 per hour, while experienced officers can earn up to $35.89 hourly. For part-time officers working three days a week, or those in per-diem roles, this income can vary widely based on number of shifts and duties, which often include patrolling on assigned beats, engaging in court testimony, or working specialized units such as K-9 operations. These figures are derived from official BLS hourly data and reflect the on-the-ground realities faced by officers in the area.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.41 | $179.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.00 | $184.02 |
| Median (P50) | $27.89 | $223.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.89 | $287.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.89 | $287.08 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lake Charles
Based on $27.89/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.89/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lake Charles, LA can expect to earn approximately $58,007 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,466. With a cost-of-living index of 85.85 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lake Charles.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lake Charles
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,115.52 | $4,834 | $58,007 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $669.31 | $2,900 | $34,804 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $446.21 | $1,934 | $23,203 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Lake Charles) | $27.89 |
| Firefighter (National Avg) | $28.13 |
| Detective / Criminal Investigator (National Avg) | $45.86 |
| Correctional Officer (National Avg) | $25.24 |
| Security Guard (National Avg) | $17.32 |
Police Officers in Lake Charles, LA earn a median of $58,012 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.14% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 15.30% above the Louisiana state average of $50,314.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.89/hr = $34,804/year (purchasing power: $40,540).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,007/year (purchasing power: $67,566).
CoL index: 85.852 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.83/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.06/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.89/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+61.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Lake Charles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.83/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.50/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.94/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.90/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.06/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.89/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Lake Charles grew 51.8% from $17.83/hr (2019) to $27.06/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.74/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem police officers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
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 3.06% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Police Officer in Lake Charles
Assessing part-time earnings in terms of the hourly police officer wages prevalent in Lake Charles reveals the challenge of financial stability in law enforcement. A part-time officer working 24 hours a week with a rate of $27.89 would take home approximately $43,820 annually, compared to their full-time counterparts who earn a median of around $58,012. Overtime in this profession can significantly bolster take-home pay, with many officers able to earn between $35 and $75 per hour for extra-duty assignments, such as event security. Across various employer types—municipal departments, state police, and federal agencies—hourly rates can shift, often influenced by benefits like health insurance and pension plans. These factors create a complex landscape for negotiations where local officers might prioritize employment with better benefits over purely higher hourly wages, further impacting the recruitment and retention of skilled personnel in Lake Charles.
More salary data for Lake Charles, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in law enforcement. They specialize in community policing strategies. Jordan works with a municipal police department.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for police officers in Lake Charles. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for police officers (SOC 33-3051).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice, a licensed police officer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov