How much does a cook make in Lafayette?
$38,580a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area. That is $18.55 an hour or $3,215 a month.
- Hourly
- $18.55
- Vs. national median
- +3%
- Rank among cities
- 118 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 260
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $30,040Median: $38,580Highest 10%: $46,490
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $30,040 | $14.44 | |
| 25th | $34,920 | $16.79 | |
| Median | $38,580 | $18.55 | |
| 75th | $43,310 | $20.82 | |
| 90th | $46,490 | $22.35 |
Other cities in Indiana
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Chicago, IL | $38,290 |
| Louisville, KY | $37,370 |
| Bloomington, IN | $37,230 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $37,180 |
| South Bend, IN | $37,010 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $36,350 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $36,300 |
| Kokomo, IN | $36,290 |
| Elkhart, IN | $36,170 |
| Michigan City, IN | $36,100 |
| Columbus, IN | $35,490 |
| Evansville, IN | $35,180 |
| Muncie, IN | $34,370 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $33,300 |
Related jobs in Lafayette
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $44,750 |
| Chef and Head Cook | $40,300 |
| Cook | $34,870 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $34,820 |
| Food Server | $29,990 |
| Cook | $29,540 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $29,500 |
| Dishwasher | $28,690 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $28,420 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $28,230 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Lafayette?
The median hourly pay in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area is $18.55 ($38,580 a year).
Do cooks make more in Lafayette than the national average?
Yes: $38,580 against $37,450 nationally, 3% more.
How does Lafayette compare with the rest of Indiana?
The median in Indiana is $35,980, so Lafayette pays 7% more.
Where does Lafayette rank for cook pay?
118 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Lafayette?
The lowest-paid 10% make $30,040 or less a year; the top 10% make $46,490 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.