Human Resources Management Degree Programs in Lake Charles, LA (2026)
Quick answer: Human Resources Specialists in the Lake Charles area earn a median $64,130 per year, below the national median of $75,940, and the metro employs about 280 of them (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Human Resources Management Pay in Lake Charles, LA
| Metric | Lake Charles metro | Louisiana | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $64,130 | $61,300 | $75,940 |
| 10th percentile | $43,170 | $39,170 | $47,180 |
| 25th percentile | $49,980 | $48,900 | $58,610 |
| 75th percentile | $73,540 | $78,710 | $99,380 |
| 90th percentile | $97,160 | $100,420 | $128,720 |
| Employment | 280 | 7,240 | 912,430 |
| Location quotient | 0.46 | - | 1.00 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Metro figures cover the Lake Charles, LA metropolitan statistical area.
What the Numbers Say About This Market
The Lake Charles median of $64,130 is below the national median of $75,940, and above the Louisiana statewide median of $61,300 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
The metro’s location quotient of 0.46 means human resources specialists are less concentrated here than in the average U.S. labor market (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Higher concentration generally means more employers competing for the same people, and an easier job change later.
HR headcount tracks employer headcount. Metros with large corporate, health system or public sector employers support the deepest HR job markets.
Other Louisiana Metro Areas
| Metro area | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | $61,400 | 1,960 |
| New Orleans | $64,780 | 1,900 |
| Lafayette | $56,070 | 540 |
| Shreveport | $61,200 | 460 |
| Slidell | $64,990 | 320 |
| Houma | $59,050 | 300 |
| Alexandria | $62,210 | 230 |
| Monroe | $54,610 | 200 |
Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Licensing
Licensing is a state matter, not a city one. Human resources is not licensed. The recognized professional credentials are the PHR and SPHR from HRCI and the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP from SHRM, all of which pair an examination with an experience requirement. On the academic side, SHRM aligns degree programs to its curriculum guidelines, which is the nearest thing this field has to programmatic accreditation.
See the Louisiana licensing and pay overview for the statewide picture, and confirm current requirements with HRCI or SHRM for current certification requirements.
Schools Near You
Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.
No schools in our database within 250 miles. If this is a mistake, contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do human resources specialists make in Lake Charles?
The median annual wage for human resources specialists in the Lake Charles, LA metro area is $64,130, below the national median of $75,940 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
How many human resources specialists work in the Lake Charles area?
The Lake Charles, LA metro area employs about 280 human resources specialists (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Do human resources specialists in Lake Charles need a license?
Licensing is handled at state level rather than by city. Human resources is not licensed. The recognized professional credentials are the PHR and SPHR from HRCI and the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP from SHRM, all of which pair an examination with an experience requirement. On the academic side, SHRM aligns degree programs to its curriculum guidelines, which is the nearest thing this field has to programmatic accreditation. Confirm current requirements with HRCI or SHRM for current certification requirements.
Can I study human resources management online from Lake Charles?
The academic portion of these programs is widely available online for working adults, while labs, clinical hours or supervised field work are completed in person. Check that the program's accreditation satisfies HRCI or SHRM for current certification requirements.
Is Lake Charles a better market than the rest of Louisiana?
The Lake Charles metro median is $64,130 against a statewide median of $61,300 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Compare that gap with the difference in living costs before treating it as a raise.
Related
- Human Resources Management degree programs in Louisiana - statewide pay, licensing and metro comparison
- Human Resources Management programs and how to choose one
- Bookkeeper career profile - the trade career this degree path builds on
- All online degree paths for tradespeople
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Human Resources Specialists (SOC 13-1071), national, state and metropolitan estimates
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.