US
Lake Charles, LA
Louisiana salary market
$199K
Avg / Year
+19% vs U.S.
vs National
120
Employment
$16.6K
Monthly Avg
Updated for 2026

Architectural and Engineering Manager Salary in Lake Charles, LA (2026)

The Architectural and Engineering Manager salary in Lake Charles, LA for 2026 is presented as a modeled salary benchmark built from the latest official BLS wage baseline, then extended with wage trend history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available. This guide compares the Lake Charles, LA market with the U.S. baseline and breaks projected pay down by experience, skills, industry, and nearby markets.

Official BLS baseline: 2024Lake Charles, LA city pageModeled salary guide10 min read
City Average
$199K
per year
Entry Level
$145K
starting range
Senior Level
$229K
upper local band
Remote / Hybrid
$203K
modeled local premium
Monthly
$16.6K
avg before tax
Hourly Rate
$88
median equivalent
Salary figures projected to 2026  from May 2024BLS OEWS baseline  ·  Projections use wage history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available
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Architectural and Engineering Manager Salary Overview in Lake Charles, LA

Careerclev's modeled 2026 benchmark places Architectural and Engineering Manager pay in Lake Charles, LA at about $199,021 per year. On the latest official BLS baseline for this market, the lower local range starts near $134,540, while the strongest-paid professionals can reach about $218,110.

Salary estimates are based on data from the Lake Charles, La metropolitan area.

If you’re comparing Architectural and Engineering Manager salaries in Lake Charles, LA, the real story isn’t just the headline number. Local employer mix, seniority, specialization, and whether the role is remote, hybrid, or onsite can push compensation well above or below the local median.

Lake Charles, LA vs. U.S. National Average

Lake Charles, LA pays +19% vs u.s. for Architectural and Engineering Manager roles. The difference is driven by local employer demand, industry mix, cost pressures, and how concentrated this role is in the underlying metro labor market.

United States National Average
$168K
all U.S. markets combined
+19%
Lake Charles, LA Premium
Lake Charles, LA City Average
$199K
Architectural and Engineering Manager
MarketProjected Salaryvs Lake Charles, LAMarket Maturity
Lake Charles, LA (this guide)$199,021BaselineLocal market
United States$167,740-16% vs U.S.National baseline
Baton Rouge, LA$173,350-13% vs U.S.Comparable city
Slidell, LA$167,490-16% vs U.S.Comparable city
New Orleans, LA$163,280-18% vs U.S.Comparable city
Why Lake Charles, LA pay differsThe strongest city salary premiums usually appear where employers compete for specialized talent, where the role is concentrated, and where local costs make compensation harder to hold down.

Architectural and Engineering Manager Salary by Experience Level in Lake Charles, LA

Experience changes the local salary picture quickly because employers usually pay for independence, specialization, and broader scope, not just years on paper. In Lake Charles, LA, this breakdown shows how aArchitectural and Engineering Manager can move from early-career pay into stronger bands as the role becomes more self-directed.

Entry-Level
0-2 years
$174K
$96/hr median equivalent
$145K - $199K
Mid-Level
3-5 years
$199K
$96/hr median equivalent
$174K - $229K
Senior
6-10 years
$229K
$96/hr median equivalent
$199K - $236K
Lead / Principal
10+ years
$236K
$96/hr median equivalent
$229K - $288K
LevelExperienceProjected SalaryProjected RangeMarket Signal
Entry-Level Architectural and Engineering Manager0-2 years$173,511$145,492 - $199,021+3% vs U.S.
Mid-Level Architectural and Engineering Manager3-5 years$199,021$173,511 - $228,554+19% vs U.S.
Senior Architectural and Engineering Manager6-10 years$228,554$199,021 - $235,864+36% vs U.S.
Lead / Principal Architectural and Engineering Manager10+ years$235,864$228,554 - $287,754+41% vs U.S.
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Best Salary Areas Near Lake Charles, LA

Nearby metro areas help show how Architectural and Engineering Manager pay changes around Lake Charles, LA. Each market reflects its own employer mix, local demand, and industry concentration, making these comparisons useful for candidates weighing their location options.

#1
Lake Charles, LA
$199K
avg / year
Salary estimates are based on data from the Lake Charles, La metropolitan area.
This guide
#2
Baton Rouge, LA
$173K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Architectural and Engineering Manager salaries around Lake Charles, LA.
-13% vs U.S.
#3
Slidell, LA
$167K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Architectural and Engineering Manager salaries around Lake Charles, LA.
-16% vs U.S.
#4
New Orleans, LA
$163K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Architectural and Engineering Manager salaries around Lake Charles, LA.
-18% vs U.S.
#5
Houma, LA
$157K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Architectural and Engineering Manager salaries around Lake Charles, LA.
-21% vs U.S.

Architectural and Engineering Manager Salary by Industry in Lake Charles, LA

Industry premiums in Lake Charles, LA usually come from employers that place the Architectural and Engineering Manager role close to revenue, infrastructure, compliance, product delivery, or other high-value work. National industry data gives the best available benchmark until local industry slices are available.

IndustryModeled SalaryReference RangeSignal
Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction$206,480$126,530 - N/AStronger salary
Information$204,010$126,130 - N/AStronger salary
Retail Trade$184,660$117,420 - N/AStronger salary
Finance and Insurance$175,620$137,800 - N/ACompetitive
Management of Companies and Enterprises$173,200$129,840 - N/ACompetitive
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services$169,210$111,740 - N/ACompetitive
Transportation and Warehousing$169,200$108,310 - $210,030Competitive
Wholesale Trade$167,760$110,750 - $238,610Competitive

Entry-Level Architectural and Engineering Manager Salary in Lake Charles, LA

Entry-level Architectural and Engineering Manager jobs in Lake Charles, LA are modeled around the lower local wage percentiles. Candidates who can show practical projects, job-ready tools, and strong fundamentals usually have a better path into the middle of the local salary range.

For a broader starting-pay benchmark beyond this city market, see the entry-level Architectural and Engineering Manager salary guide.

Entry estimateA reasonable entry-level salary benchmark for Architectural and Engineering Manager roles in Lake Charles, LA is about $173,511.
Preparation pathJob Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. Typical education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. Training signal: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Remote vs Onsite Architectural and Engineering Manager Pay in Lake Charles, LA

Remote work can widen the employer pool for Architectural and Engineering Manager candidates in Lake Charles, LA. Onsite and hybrid roles may still pay more when employers need local availability, local clients, regulated work, or team coverage.

Local Onsite Role
$199,021
avg local employer
Hybrid Role
$203,001
modeled local premium
+2% local avg
Work TypeEstimated SalaryExperienceBest FitFlexibility
Remote$195,041Market dependentNational hiring poolsHigh
Hybrid$203,001Metro dependentLake Charles, LA employersMedium
Onsite$199,021Location dependentLocal teams and operationsLower

Cost of Living vs Salary in Lake Charles, LA

A salary in Lake Charles, LA should be read alongside housing, commuting, tax, and everyday costs. The same annual pay can feel very different at entry, mid-level, and senior levels.

Monthly Expense
Entry
Mid
Senior
Housing / rent
$2.7K
$3.6K
$4.6K
Transport / commute
$580.5
$663.4
$746.3
Food and groceries
$1.2K
$1.3K
$1.5K
Utilities and internet
$580.5
$663.4
$746.3
Estimated remainder
$5.6K
$8.6K
$10.6K
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Top Employers Hiring Architectural and Engineering Managers in Lake Charles, LA

Employer mix is one of the biggest city-level salary drivers. The industries below highlight where Architectural and Engineering Manager pay tends to be strongest in Lake Charles, LA, based on the sectors that create the most hiring demand for this role.

1
Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction employers
$206K
Industry benchmark for Architectural and Engineering Manager roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
2
Information employers
$204K
Industry benchmark for Architectural and Engineering Manager roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
3
Retail Trade employers
$185K
Industry benchmark for Architectural and Engineering Manager roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
4
Finance and Insurance employers
$176K
Industry benchmark for Architectural and Engineering Manager roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
5
Management of Companies and Enterprises employers
$173K
Industry benchmark for Architectural and Engineering Manager roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
6
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employers
$169K
Industry benchmark for Architectural and Engineering Manager roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.

Lake Charles, LA Compared With Other U.S. Cities

This comparison is useful when one city salary number is not enough on its own. It shows whetherLake Charles, LA is genuinely a stronger-paying market for Architectural and Engineering Manager work or whether the local benchmark sits closer to the broader national middle.

Lake Charles, LA
This guide
$199K
Baseline
Baton Rouge, LA
Nearby U.S. market
$173K
-13% vs U.S.
Slidell, LA
Nearby U.S. market
$167K
-16% vs U.S.
New Orleans, LA
Nearby U.S. market
$163K
-18% vs U.S.
Houma, LA
Nearby U.S. market
$157K
-21% vs U.S.
Shreveport, LA
Nearby U.S. market
$157K
-21% vs U.S.
Lafayette, LA
Nearby U.S. market
$141K
-29% vs U.S.

Career Growth Opportunities in Lake Charles, LA

Local career growth is strongest when it is read through both the city salary ladder and the broader national demand outlook. The city salary benchmark shows what this market currently pays, while the career path and BLS demand data show how that benchmark can expand with scope and responsibility.

1
Intern / Trainee
$97.3K - $131K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
2
Junior
$121K - $159K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
3
Mid Level
$151K - $188K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
4
Senior
$181K - $235K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
5
Lead
$215K - $272K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
6
Principal / Architect
$252K - $344K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
BLS Demand SignalEmployment is projected to change by 3.8% from 2024 to 2034.
About averageAnnual openings: 14.5 thousand.
Metric2026 Outlook
Projected employment212.5k → 220.5k
Typical educationMost of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Related experienceA considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Local market anchor120 jobs with a median of $199,021

Factors Affecting Architectural and Engineering Manager Salary in Lake Charles, LA

Local pay rarely moves for one reason alone. In city markets, the biggest differences usually come from employer concentration, industry mix, seniority, and whether the role is tied to business-critical work that is harder to staff.

Years of Experience
Salary usually rises as the role moves from entry-level execution to independent ownership, mentoring, and broader decision-making.
Location and Cost of Living
Local salary ranges vary by labor market, employer density, and household-income context.
Industry
Industry pay can vary when employers in higher-margin or harder-to-staff sectors compete for the same occupation.
Specialized Skills
O*NET marks high-demand role-specific skills as relevant skills for this role, making them useful anchors for specialization and salary-growth content.

How to Increase Your Architectural and Engineering Manager Salary in Lake Charles, LA

In city markets, salary growth often comes from better positioning as much as from patience. These moves are most useful when you already understand the local benchmark and want a clearer path beyond it.

1
Benchmark against stronger markets
Compare national, metro, and industry salary facts before negotiating so your target range is grounded in current wage data.
1-3 months timeline
2
Build a visible specialization
Prioritize skills such as high-demand role-specific skills; O*NET relevance scores make these good first candidates for portfolio and resume positioning.
3-9 months timeline
3
Target higher-paying industries
Use industry salary facts to identify sectors that already pay above the occupation baseline.
2-6 months timeline
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Architectural and Engineering Manager Salary in Lake Charles, LA: FAQs

These questions usually come up after readers compare the city benchmark, the statewide picture, and the local experience ladder. They help clarify how to read the market and what matters most when you compare this city with other options.

These FAQs focus on how readers searching for "Architectural and Engineering Manager" usually compare local pay, employer mix, and market differences in this city.

What is the average Architectural & Engineering Managers salary?
The latest national baseline for Architectural & Engineering Managers is about $167,700 per year, based on the current BLS-derived salary facts in CareerClev.
What is the entry-level Architectural & Engineering Managers salary?
Entry-level estimates for Architectural & Engineering Managers are modeled around the lower BLS percentile range, currently about $111,500 per year nationally.
How much can senior Architectural & Engineering Managers professionals earn?
Senior Architectural & Engineering Managers estimates are modeled from upper percentile wage bands and currently sit around $207,200 per year nationally.
Does location affect Architectural & Engineering Managers salary?
Yes. CareerClev stores salary facts by national, state, and metro locations, so location-specific pages should use the closest available geography instead of a single national number.
Which skills matter for Architectural & Engineering Managers salary growth?
CareerClev uses O*NET skill importance and level scores to identify role-relevant skills. These are useful for recommendations, but should not be presented as measured salary premiums unless enriched compensation data exists.
Data
Data Sources & MethodologyUpdated using 2024 BLS OEWS salary facts, O*NET occupation-skill data, Census location context where available, ILOSTAT country benchmarks where mapped, BLS Employment Projections where imported, and Stack Overflow Developer Survey enrichment for mapped tech roles.
Salary figures use BLS OEWS wage facts for 2024. City pages use the BLS metropolitan area as the salary dataset, display the largest city as the public page name, and model experience bands from local wage percentiles.
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