Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in Baton Rouge

In Baton Rouge (LA), the median pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria is $11.90 an hour ($24,740 a year). About 1,240 people work in this job there.

$11.90Median hourly pay
$23,240–$29,140Middle half of workers, yearly
1,240People in this job in Baton Rouge (LA)

That is 34% lower than the U.S. median ($37,450). It is 3% lower than the Louisiana median ($25,490).

Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Baton Rouge (LA)

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$10.70$22,260
25% of workers$11.18$23,240
Half of workers (median)$11.90$24,740
75% of workers$14.01$29,140
90% of workers$16.98$35,310

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in Louisiana metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Lake Charles$32,460280
Slidell-Mandeville-Covington$30,410160
New Orleans-Metairie$29,3701,050
Shreveport-Bossier City$28,630260
Lafayette$26,400470
Baton Rouge (this page)$24,7401,240
Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux$23,480420
Monroe$22,980300
Alexandria$21,690280
Hammond$20,680190

Louisiana unemployment rate: 4.2% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Education, experience and outlook for cooks, institution and cafeteria

  • Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
  • Related work experience most have: 1 to 3 months (O*NET)
  • Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
  • Job outlook: +2.8% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 62,900 openings a year (BLS)

Related jobs in Baton Rouge (LA)

JobMedian yearly pay
Fast Food and Counter Workers$23,650
Food Preparation Workers$24,450
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$37,380
Cooks, Restaurant$29,910

Other job titles for this job

Food Service SpecialistCulinary SpecialistSous ChefBoarding House CookCafeteria CookCamp CookDietary CookDinner CookGalley CookInstitutional CookKitchen CookMess Cook

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Source: 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.