LA · Lake Charles · Updated October 15, 2026

Dentist jobs in Lake Charles, LA

The median dentist pay in the Lake Charles area is $45.76 per hour ($95,180 a year), with the typical range running from $40.67 to $84.14. That ranks 300th of 302 U.S. metro areas for dentist pay, and 277th of 279 once local prices are factored in. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Lake Charles.

Dentist pay in Lake Charles, LA

The metro median is 47% below the Louisiana statewide median of $86.35 per hour. Nationally the median is $83.07 per hour. BLS counts about 70 dentists, general employed in the Lake Charles metro area, 0.7 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.91).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$25.00$52,00070% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$40.67$84,59051% below U.S. median
Median$45.76$95,18045% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$84.14$175,0101% above U.S. median
Top 10%$115+$239,200+38% above U.S. median

How Lake Charles ranks

  • 300th of 302 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 277th of 279 after adjusting for local prices
  • 6th of 6 Louisiana metro areas

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Dentists, General (SOC 29-1021), all industries. Figures marked $115+ are the BLS top-coded maximum. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

What your pay buys in Lake Charles

  • Overall prices in Lake Charles run 14% below the U.S. average (index 85.9, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 48% below the U.S. average (index 51.8).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $45.76 median hour buys what $53.30 buys at the national price level, 36% below the national median.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.

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Named employers near Lake Charles, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.

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Estimate your Lake Charles paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,647
  • Per year: $82,368
  • Per month: $6,864

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Lake Charles metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Open Dentist roles in Louisiana

Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in Lake Charles as they open.

PermanentPosted 30+ days ago

Dentist – DDS / DMD

Aspen Dental · Shreveport, LA

$300k–$450k/ year
  • Full time
  • Req R2026-007169
Top 25% pay
View role
PermanentPosted 30+ days ago

Dentist – DDS / DMD

Aspen Dental · Monroe, LA

$300k–$450k/ year
  • Full time
  • Req R2026-009255
Top 25% pay
View role

All Dentist jobs in Louisiana

Dental health shortage areas in Calcasieu Parish

HRSA lists 4 active dental health shortage designations that include Calcasieu Parish (1 population-group, 3 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 23 on a 0 to 26 scale, where a higher score means a greater shortage.

Shortage areas are where demand for dentists, hygienists and dental assistants is greatest. Federal loan repayment programs such as the NHSC and Nurse Corps cover some clinicians who work at eligible shortage-area sites. Eligibility is set by each program and by the site, so ask your recruiter before you plan around it.

Source: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas data warehouse, designated areas only. A designation can cover part of a county.

Dentist pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Port Arthur, TX46 mi$87.70/hr55,799
Beaumont, TX56 mi$87.70/hr112,893
Baytown, TX109 mi$81.81/hr86,004
Texas City, TX114 mi$81.81/hr57,875
Pasadena, TX122 mi$81.81/hr149,617
League City, TX124 mi$81.81/hr118,456

Dentist jobs in Louisiana · Dentist jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in Louisiana

Active dental license in the state of the job. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Louisiana requires for your role with the Louisiana licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.

Louisiana taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

Louisiana state guide

Other healthcare roles in Lake Charles

Lake Charles city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do dentists make in Lake Charles, LA?

Dentists in the Lake Charles metro area have a median pay of $45.76 per hour, about $95,180 a year. The middle half earn between $40.67 and $84.14 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Lake Charles a good place for dentists once cost of living is counted?

Lake Charles ranks 277th of 279 metro areas for dentist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 300th of 302 before adjusting. Overall prices run 14% below the U.S. average.

Do I need a Louisiana license to work in Lake Charles as a dentist?

Active dental license in the state of the job. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Louisiana requires for your role with the Louisiana licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.

Is Lake Charles in a shortage area?

HRSA lists 4 active dental health shortage designations that include Calcasieu Parish. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.

Does Valorem Health place dentists in Lake Charles?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Lake Charles and across Louisiana. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Lake Charles.

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What do employers near Lake Charles pay dentists? Get the report.

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  1. 1
    Pay for your role at other employers

    The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.

  2. 2
    What they are offering now

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Pay report · Dentist near Lake Charles, LA
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your Dentist pay reportTop-paying employers shown · your Louisiana list by name comes with the full report

1Pay for your role at other employers

  • Aspen DentalMonroe, LA · 2 postings$180.29/ hr$144–$216
  • David M Vieth, D.D.S., A Professional CorporationShreveport, LA · 1 wage offer$96.15/ hr$96–$96
  • Smile BrandsHouston, TX · 8 postings$144.23/ hr$96–$192
  • Aspen DentalDunwoody, GA · 3 postings$123.80/ hr$87–$216

Median pay per hour, with the range each employer published or reported in federal filings. Request your Louisiana list

2What they are offering now

Low$87Median$106.97High$216

127 Dentist postings with published pay in the US, 50 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 2 Dentist roles

  1. Dentist – DDS / DMDPermanent
    $300k–$450k/ year
    Aspen Dental · Shreveport, LA · posted 30+ days ago
  2. Dentist – DDS / DMDPermanent
    $300k–$450k/ year
    Aspen Dental · Monroe, LA · posted 30+ days ago

Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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