Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Hourly Pay in Lake Charles, LA: $45.29 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a clinical and counseling psychologist working in Lake Charles, LA runs $45.29 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $94,200 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 19-3033). Weighted against Lake Charles's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $50.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $56,521 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lake Charles, Louisiana, clinical and counseling psychologists can expect to earn an average hourly pay of $45.29, which is noticeably lower than the national median of $50.81. This hourly rate can significantly impact part-time professionals working three days a week, allowing for flexible scheduling while still generating a respectable income. The hourly pay range is broad, spanning from $26.60 at the entry-level to $70.19 for top earners. These figures are derived from projected annual salary data; therefore, while the pay scale provides insight into compensation, actual earnings can vary greatly depending on the individual's experience, employer type, and specific job roles within the clinical setting.
About the Lake Charles Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($80,700) adjusted for local cost of living.
Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.60 | $212.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.94 | $271.53 |
| Median (P50) | $45.29 | $362.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57.97 | $463.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70.19 | $561.55 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lake Charles
Based on $45.29/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $45.29/hr, a clinical and counseling psychologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lake Charles, LA can expect to earn approximately $94,202 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $54,347. With a cost-of-living index of 90.30 (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) | $1,811.58 | $7,850 | $94,202 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,086.95 | $4,710 | $56,521 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $724.63 | $3,140 | $37,681 |
Compare CCP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist (Lake Charles) | $45.29 |
| School Psychologist (National Avg) | $41.79 |
| Psychiatrist (National Avg) | $116.00 |
| Mental Health Counselor (National Avg) | $28.16 |
| Clinical Social Worker (Mental Health & Substance Abuse) (National Avg) | $30.99 |
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Lake Charles, LA earn a median of $94,200 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.87% lower than the national median of $105,689 and 1.30% below the Louisiana state average of $95,441.
Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $45.29/hr = $56,521/year (purchasing power: $62,593).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $94,202/year (purchasing power: $104,321).
CoL index: 90.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$35.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$43.10/hr
2026 Current Est.
$45.29/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Lake Charles (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.08% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $35.36/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.62/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.18/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $43.10/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45.29/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.59/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for clinical and counseling psychologists in Lake Charles grew 21.9% from $35.36/hr (2021) to $43.10/hr (2025). At a 5.08% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.59/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem clinical and counseling psychologists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) 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 5.08% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Clinical and Counseling Psychologist in Lake Charles
Examining part-time earnings, a psychologist working 24 hours a week at the Lake Charles hourly rate takes home approximately $56,154 annually, substantially less than their full-time counterparts. Per diem clinical and counseling psychologist pay in Lake Charles tends to command a premium over traditional staff positions, often reflecting a 10-25% increase, providing an attractive option for those seeking flexible arrangements without the commitment of full-time work. Compensation can fluctuate based on employer types, with private practices possibly offering lower hourly rates than larger healthcare organizations, which may provide benefits like health insurance. In negotiations, it's wise for hourly workers to weigh the trade-offs between higher hourly rates without benefits and lower rates with added perks, ensuring they choose the path that aligns with their professional and personal needs.
More salary data for Lake Charles, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for clinical and counseling psychologists in Lake Charles in 2026?
How much do part-time clinical and counseling psychologists make in Lake Charles?
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How much does a full-time clinical and counseling psychologist make per year in Lake Charles?
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, PhD, LPC
Career Analyst
Maria has 10 years of experience in clinical psychology. She specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy. Maria works at a mental health clinic in Chicago.
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 5.08% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for clinical and counseling psychologists 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
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 5.08%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for clinical and counseling psychologists (SOC 19-3033).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, PhD, LPC, a licensed clinical and counseling psychologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov