How much does a cook make in New Orleans?
$29,370a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area. That is $14.12 an hour or $2,448 a month.
- Hourly
- $14.12
- Vs. national median
- -22%
- Rank among cities
- 355 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 1,050
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $21,610Median: $29,370Highest 10%: $40,600
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $21,610 | $10.39 | |
| 25th | $23,200 | $11.15 | |
| Median | $29,370 | $14.12 | |
| 75th | $35,770 | $17.20 | |
| 90th | $40,600 | $19.52 |
Other cities in Louisiana
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Lake Charles, LA | $32,460 |
| Slidell, LA | $30,410 |
| 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 New Orleans
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $46,400 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $38,130 |
| Cook | $30,840 |
| Cook | $30,520 |
| Food Server | $29,460 |
| 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 cook make an hour in New Orleans?
The median hourly pay in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area is $14.12 ($29,370 a year).
Do cooks make more in New Orleans than the national average?
No: $29,370 against $37,450 nationally, 22% less.
How does New Orleans compare with the rest of Louisiana?
The median in Louisiana is $25,490, so New Orleans pays 15% more.
Where does New Orleans rank for cook pay?
355 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in New Orleans?
The lowest-paid 10% make $21,610 or less a year; the top 10% make $40,600 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.