How much does a cook make in Lake Charles?
$32,460a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Lake Charles, LA metro area. That is $15.61 an hour or $2,705 a month.
- Hourly
- $15.61
- Vs. national median
- -13%
- Rank among cities
- 318 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 280
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $23,300Median: $32,460Highest 10%: $39,590
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,300 | $11.20 | |
| 25th | $27,040 | $13.00 | |
| Median | $32,460 | $15.61 | |
| 75th | $33,710 | $16.21 | |
| 90th | $39,590 | $19.03 |
Other cities in Louisiana
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Slidell, LA | $30,410 |
| New Orleans, LA | $29,370 |
| Shreveport, LA | $28,630 |
| Lafayette, LA | $26,400 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $24,740 |
| Houma, LA | $23,480 |
| Monroe, LA | $22,980 |
| Alexandria, LA | $21,690 |
| Hammond, LA | $20,680 |
Related jobs in Lake Charles
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $43,520 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $34,230 |
| 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 cook make an hour in Lake Charles?
The median hourly pay in the Lake Charles, LA metro area is $15.61 ($32,460 a year).
Do cooks make more in Lake Charles than the national average?
No: $32,460 against $37,450 nationally, 13% less.
How does Lake Charles compare with the rest of Louisiana?
The median in Louisiana is $25,490, so Lake Charles pays 27% more.
Where does Lake Charles rank for cook pay?
318 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Lake Charles?
The lowest-paid 10% make $23,300 or less a year; the top 10% make $39,590 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.