Food Preparation Workers pay in Baton Rouge
In Baton Rouge (LA), the median pay for food preparation workers is $11.76 an hour ($24,450 a year). About 5,800 people work in this job there.
That is 31% lower than the U.S. median ($35,320). It is 4% higher than the Louisiana median ($23,620).
Pay range for food preparation workers in Baton Rouge (LA)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $9.07 | $18,870 |
| 25% of workers | $10.87 | $22,600 |
| Half of workers (median) | $11.76 | $24,450 |
| 75% of workers | $13.46 | $27,990 |
| 90% of workers | $16.25 | $33,800 |
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 (this page) | $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 Baton Rouge (LA)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $23,650 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $29,910 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $24,740 |
Other job titles for this job
Open food preparation workers jobs on JAI Bot
No open jobs in this field right now. Search all jobs or set up a free job alert.
Hiring food preparation workers? Use the free hiring guide for a job description and interview questions, then post the job on JAI Bot. Every job shows typical pay to job seekers.
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.