How much does a chef and head cook make in New Orleans?
$46,400a year
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area. That is $22.31 an hour or $3,867 a month.
- Hourly
- $22.31
- Vs. national median
- -26%
- Rank among cities
- 307 of 340
- Jobs in the area
- 660
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $37,090Median: $46,400Highest 10%: $91,190
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,090 | $17.83 | |
| 25th | $44,740 | $21.51 | |
| Median | $46,400 | $22.31 | |
| 75th | $62,880 | $30.23 | |
| 90th | $91,190 | $43.84 |
Other cities in Louisiana
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks.
| Alexandria, LA | $47,670 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $45,570 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $43,520 |
| 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 New Orleans
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $38,130 |
| Cook | $30,840 |
| Cook | $30,520 |
| Food Server | $29,460 |
| Cook | $29,370 |
| Dishwasher | $27,690 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $26,240 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $26,200 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $25,470 |
| Cook | $24,720 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chef and head cook make an hour in New Orleans?
The median hourly pay in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area is $22.31 ($46,400 a year).
Do chef and head cooks make more in New Orleans than the national average?
No: $46,400 against $62,470 nationally, 26% less.
How does New Orleans compare with the rest of Louisiana?
The median in Louisiana is $45,570, so New Orleans pays 2% more.
Where does New Orleans rank for chef and head cook pay?
307 of 340 metro areas with data.
How much does a chef and head cook make starting out in New Orleans?
The lowest-paid 10% make $37,090 or less a year; the top 10% make $91,190 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.