Lake Charles vs Shreveport: Electrical Engineer Salary (2026)
Compare electrical engineer salaries between Lake Charles, LA and Shreveport, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Shreveport, LA |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $134,683▲ | $115,445 |
| Hourly Rate | $64.75▲ | $55.50 |
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,459▲ | $71,290 |
| 25th Percentile | $100,603▲ | $88,237 |
| 75th Percentile | $168,535▲ | $138,124 |
| Top Earner (P90) | $176,931▲ | $170,546 |
| Total Employed | 70▲ | 60 |
Verdict
Lake Charles, LA offers better overall compensation for electrical engineers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Shreveport.
The salary gap between Lake Charles and Shreveport is $19,238 (16.66%). Lake Charles's median is +7.72% compared to the US national median of $125,033.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lake Charles spans $93,472,Shreveport spans $99,256. Shreveport has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced electrical engineers.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Lake Charles ($156,878 effective) pays 15.19% more than Shreveport ($136,193 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Lake Charles if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($134,683/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($176,931)
- ✓Larger job market (70 employed)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $156,878)
- ✓You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle
Choose Shreveport if…
- ✓You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrical engineer salaries in Lake Charles grew 35.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 17.0% growth in Shreveport over the same period.
Lake Charles, LA
$96,150 (2019) → $129,940 (2025)
Shreveport, LA
$95,180 (2019) → $111,380 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Lake Charles, LA
Shreveport, LA
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays electrical engineers more: Lake Charles or Shreveport?
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Written by Amina Patel, MEng, PE
Career Analyst
Amina has over 10 years of experience in power systems engineering. She works at a utility company specializing in renewable energy integration.
Methodology & Data Source
All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.65% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS , released .
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, MEng, PE, a licensed electrical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov