Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in New Orleans-Metairie
In New Orleans-Metairie (LA), the median pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria is $14.12 an hour ($29,370 a year). About 1,050 people work in this job there.
That is 22% lower than the U.S. median ($37,450). It is 15% higher than the Louisiana median ($25,490).
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in New Orleans-Metairie (LA)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $10.39 | $21,610 |
| 25% of workers | $11.15 | $23,200 |
| Half of workers (median) | $14.12 | $29,370 |
| 75% of workers | $17.20 | $35,770 |
| 90% of workers | $19.52 | $40,600 |
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in Louisiana metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Charles | $32,460 | 280 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington | $30,410 | 160 |
| New Orleans-Metairie (this page) | $29,370 | 1,050 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City | $28,630 | 260 |
| Lafayette | $26,400 | 470 |
| Baton Rouge | $24,740 | 1,240 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux | $23,480 | 420 |
| Monroe | $22,980 | 300 |
| Alexandria | $21,690 | 280 |
| Hammond | $20,680 | 190 |
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 New Orleans-Metairie (LA)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $25,470 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $26,200 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $30,520 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,130 |
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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.