How much does a chef and head cook make in Lake Charles?
$43,520a year
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks in the Lake Charles, LA metro area. That is $20.92 an hour or $3,627 a month.
- Hourly
- $20.92
- Vs. national median
- -30%
- Rank among cities
- 321 of 340
- Jobs in the area
- 110
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $33,140Median: $43,520Highest 10%: $75,520
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $33,140 | $15.93 | |
| 25th | $36,130 | $17.37 | |
| Median | $43,520 | $20.92 | |
| 75th | $52,520 | $25.25 | |
| 90th | $75,520 | $36.31 |
Other cities in Louisiana
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks.
| Alexandria, LA | $47,670 |
| New Orleans, LA | $46,400 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $45,570 |
| Shreveport, LA | $43,240 |
| Slidell, LA | $42,930 |
| Hammond, LA | $42,680 |
| Lafayette, LA | $42,060 |
| Monroe, LA | $39,990 |
| Houma, LA | $38,560 |
Related jobs in Lake Charles
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $34,230 |
| Cook | $32,460 |
| Cook | $28,550 |
| Food Server | $25,590 |
| Dishwasher | $24,760 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $23,380 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $22,500 |
| Host and Hostess | $20,930 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $20,770 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $20,470 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chef and head cook make an hour in Lake Charles?
The median hourly pay in the Lake Charles, LA metro area is $20.92 ($43,520 a year).
Do chef and head cooks make more in Lake Charles than the national average?
No: $43,520 against $62,470 nationally, 30% less.
How does Lake Charles compare with the rest of Louisiana?
The median in Louisiana is $45,570, so Lake Charles pays 4% less.
Where does Lake Charles rank for chef and head cook pay?
321 of 340 metro areas with data.
How much does a chef and head cook make starting out in Lake Charles?
The lowest-paid 10% make $33,140 or less a year; the top 10% make $75,520 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.