Food Preparation Workers pay in Louisiana
In Louisiana, the median pay for food preparation workers is $11.36 an hour ($23,620 a year). About 30,920 people work in this job there.
That is 33% lower than the U.S. median ($35,320). Louisiana ranks 51st of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Louisiana
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $8.64 | $17,970 |
| 25% of workers | $10.33 | $21,480 |
| Half of workers (median) | $11.36 | $23,620 |
| 75% of workers | $13.79 | $28,670 |
| 90% of workers | $16.44 | $34,190 |
Food Preparation Workers pay in Louisiana metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie | $26,200 | 7,250 |
| Baton Rouge | $24,450 | 5,800 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington | $24,380 | 2,070 |
| Lake Charles | $23,380 | 1,940 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City | $22,980 | 2,860 |
| Lafayette | $22,920 | 3,260 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux | $22,810 | 1,150 |
| Hammond | $22,740 | 870 |
| Monroe | $22,430 | 1,630 |
| Alexandria | $22,080 | 980 |
Louisiana unemployment rate: 4.2% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for food preparation workers
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 3 to 6 months (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: -3% over ten years, declining · about 135,700 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Louisiana
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $22,800 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $29,050 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $25,490 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $26,780 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $24,960 |
| Bakers | $28,020 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $27,200 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $36,790 |
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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.