Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Louisiana
In Louisiana, the median pay for chefs and head cooks is $21.91 an hour ($45,570 a year). About 1,990 people work in this job there.
That is 27% lower than the U.S. median ($62,470). Louisiana ranks 51st of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Louisiana
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $15.54 | $32,320 |
| 25% of workers | $19.06 | $39,650 |
| Half of workers (median) | $21.91 | $45,570 |
| 75% of workers | $28.38 | $59,020 |
| 90% of workers | $41.71 | $86,750 |
Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Louisiana metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | $47,670 | 60 |
| New Orleans-Metairie | $46,400 | 660 |
| Baton Rouge | $45,570 | 290 |
| Lake Charles | $43,520 | 110 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City | $43,240 | 130 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington | $42,930 | 100 |
| Hammond | $42,680 | 50 |
| Lafayette | $42,060 | 180 |
| Monroe | $39,990 | 80 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux | $38,560 | 90 |
Louisiana unemployment rate: 4.2% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for chefs and head cooks
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
- Experience usually needed to start: 5 years or more (BLS)
- Job outlook: +6.6% over ten years, faster than average · about 25,200 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Louisiana
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $15,080 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $35,800 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $29,050 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $25,490 |
| Bakers | $28,020 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $26,260 |
| Food Service Managers | $61,400 |
| Food Batchmakers | $34,620 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.