Financial Advisor Salary in Lake Charles, LA: $48,592 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Lake Charles, LA earns a median $48,592/year (≈ $23.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Lake Charles's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.9), that paycheck buys what $56,600 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 32.1% below the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Salaries for financial advisors in Lake Charles, Louisiana, reflect the region's growing trend towards fee-only fiduciary models, along with the increasing recognition of the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) credential. The projected median annual salary in 2026 is $48,592, significantly below the national median of $108,537, illustrating a pay disparity that can be anticipated in this area. The salary range for financial advisors spans from $40,483 at the 10th percentile to $153,049 at the 90th percentile, providing a glimpse into the vast differences based on experience, client base, and compensation structure. This data is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlighting how local market conditions shape financial advisor compensation in Lake Charles.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,483 | $19.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,454 | $22.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,592 | $23.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,938 | $36.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $153,049 | $73.58 |
Median Salary Position
55.23% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lake Charles
In Lake Charles, LA, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $112,566 (2026 est.). At $48,592, the local median is 55.23% below the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lake Charles: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Lake Charles Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Lake Charles median: $48,592/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lake Charles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $71,565 | -32.10% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | -55.23% less |
Financial Advisors in Lake Charles, LA earn a median of $48,592 per year (2026 est.), which is 55.23% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 32.10% below the Louisiana state average of $71,565.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lake Charles has a cost of living 14.15% 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 85.852 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $48,592 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $56,600 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.48% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,331
2025 BLS Actual
$47,040
2026 Current Est.
$48,592
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Lake Charles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,331 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,740 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,840 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,870 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,582 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,760 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,040 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,592 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,196 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lake Charles metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 19.6% from $39,331 (2019) to $47,040 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,196 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,865 (27.62%) 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 3.30% 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) | $40,483 – $46,454 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,454 – $48,592 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,592 – $76,938 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,938 – $153,049 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Lake Charles
With 70 financial advisors currently employed in Lake Charles, the job market presents a modest yet stable demand for these professionals. The cost of living index at 85.852 offers a favorable backdrop for advisors, meaning that salaries stretch further than they would in higher-cost urban areas. Major employers like financial institutions such as Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo Advisors typically offer higher compensation compared to smaller independent firms or insurance-affiliated companies. The vast gap in pay can often be attributed to factors such as assets under management, degree of fiduciary responsibility, and the business model adopted—whether commission-based or fee-only. Advisors seeking to maximize their financial advisor salary in Lake Charles, LA, should consider enhancing their qualifications with credentials like the CFP while targeting clients with substantial assets, positioning themselves effectively within the evolving landscape of investment management.
More salary data for Lake Charles, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, CFP
Career Analyst
Jordan has over 10 years of experience in financial planning. They specialize in retirement planning for individuals. They work at a financial services firm in New York City.
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 $47,040 for financial advisorsin the Lake Charles metropolitan area. A 3.30% 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-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 3.30%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for financial advisors (SOC 13-2052).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, CFP, a licensed financial advisor with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov