Salary guide, May 2025
CNC Machine Operator pay in Lake Charles, LA
Manufacturing Headhunters uses the published BLS OEWS figures below. They describe the mapped occupation and area, not an individual offer.
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The median annual wage for Machinists in Lake Charles, LA was $75,580 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $58,530 and $83,060.
The Lake Charles, LA median is $16,830 above the national median of $58,750, both from BLS May 2025.
Direct match · SOC 51-4041 Machinists
CNC Machine Operator is shown within the broader published occupation. BLS does not separate this plant-specific title, seniority, shift, process or credential. Compare the duties with the SOC definition before using the range.
What should you know about lake Charles, LA?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $46,830 | $58,530 | $75,580 | $83,060 | $108,260 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $22.51 | $28.14 | $36.34 | $39.93 | $52.05 |
BLS estimated 280 workers employed in this occupation in Lake Charles, LA. Location quotient: 1.51.
What should you know about united States?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $39,200 | $47,570 | $58,750 | $67,700 | $80,010 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $18.85 | $22.87 | $28.24 | $32.55 | $38.47 |
What should you know about role pay against all occupations here?
The published CNC Machine Operator median is $75,580. The all-occupations median in Lake Charles, LA is $45,700. Ratio: 1.65 (role median divided by all-occupations median, same units, BLS May 2025). Location quotient 1.51 measures how concentrated this occupation's employment is here against the nation. It is not a wage index.
What should you know about two BLS releases?
| Release period | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | $53,630 | $64,680 | $79,710 |
| May 2025 | $58,530 | $75,580 | $83,060 |
These are two separate BLS estimates from different survey panels. The workers and employers behind them differ, so the gap is not like-for-like pay for the same workers and is not a growth rate. We show no percentage change.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 51-4041 Machinists, Lake Charles, LA. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 51-4041 Machinists, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
What should you know about nearby areas?
| Area | Median | 25th to 75th |
|---|---|---|
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $59,800 | $49,490 to $76,130 |
| Lafayette, LA | $59,830 | $48,720 to $74,630 |
All roles in Lake Charles, LA · National page · CNC Machine Operator ranked across metros