Radiologic Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Lake Charles, LA: $30.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a radiologic technologist and technician working in Lake Charles, LA runs $30.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,195 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2034). Weighted against Lake Charles's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.9, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,923 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

Radiologic technologists and technicians in Lake Charles, Louisiana, find themselves earning a median hourly rate of $30.39, which is significantly lower than the national median hourly wage of $40.55. This pay level can influence various work arrangements, particularly for part-time and per-diem employment in typical settings like hospital imaging suites, outpatient imaging centers, and urgent care X-ray rooms. For professionals opting for part-time work across three days a week, this hourly compensation translates into a decent income, while entry-level positions might earn as little as $24.01 per hour, compared to seasoned technologists who can command up to $38.53 per hour. The official Bureau of Labor Statistics data underlines this divergent pay scale, emphasizing the earning potential linked to experience, skill level, and facility type in the Lake Charles area.
Radiologic Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.01 | $192.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.22 | $217.74 |
| Median (P50) | $30.39 | $243.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.20 | $281.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.53 | $308.20 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lake Charles
Based on $30.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.39/hr, a radiologic technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lake Charles, LA can expect to earn approximately $63,204 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,464. With a cost-of-living index of 85.85 (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) | $1,215.47 | $5,267 | $63,204 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $729.28 | $3,160 | $37,923 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $486.19 | $2,107 | $25,282 |
Compare RT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Radiologic Technologist and Technician (Lake Charles) | $30.39 |
| MRI Technologist (National Avg) | $40.93 |
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (National Avg) | $46.68 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (National Avg) | $42.41 |
| Respiratory Therapist (National Avg) | $37.72 |
Radiologic Technologist and Technicians in Lake Charles, LA earn a median of $63,195 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.08% lower than the national median of $84,348 and 4.60% below the Louisiana state average of $66,242.
Radiologic Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.39/hr = $37,923/year (purchasing power: $44,172).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,204/year (purchasing power: $73,620).
CoL index: 85.852 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.86/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.39/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+35.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians in Lake Charles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.29% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.57/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.84/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.62/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.28/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.55/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.33/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.86/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for radiologic technologists and technicians in Lake Charles grew 22.4% from $23.57/hr (2019) to $28.86/hr (2025). At a 5.29% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.99/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem radiologic technologists and technicians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
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 5.29% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Radiologic Technologist and Technician in Lake Charles
Part-time radiologic technologists and technicians working in Lake Charles can expect varying annual earnings based on their hourly rates. If a technologist works 24 hours a week at the prevailing rate, their earnings can be significantly less than those of a full-time tech, often leading to a take-home pay that can seem modest. Conversely, per diem radiologic technologists often leverage the flexibility of their roles for better pay, with rates typically ranging from $40 to $60 per hour, especially enticing for cross-trained professionals in CT and MRI. While travel contracts may offer even higher weekly payments of $1,800 to $2,800, the varied employer types also influence pay rates; hospitals may offer lower hourly salaries compared to outpatient centers and private practices that emphasize higher rates but might lack benefits. Financial trade-offs abound, as some choose lower hourly rates for the security of health insurance. Given these dynamics, negotiation strategies based on the comprehensive understanding of market rates and employer offerings are critical for those engaged in radiologic roles in Lake Charles, LA.
More salary data for Lake Charles, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for radiologic technologists and technicians in Lake Charles in 2026?
How much do part-time radiologic technologists and technicians make in Lake Charles?
Are radiologic technologists and technicians in Lake Charles paid hourly or salary?
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Do radiologic technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Lake Charles?
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Written by Jordan Lee, RT(R), RT(TM)
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in radiologic technology. They specialize in mammography and work in an outpatient imaging center.
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 5.29% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for radiologic technologists and technicians 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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 5.29%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for radiologic technologist and technicians (SOC 29-2034).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RT(R), RT(TM), a licensed radiologic technologist and technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov