How much does a cook make in Lake Charles?
$28,550a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Lake Charles, LA metro area. That is $13.73 an hour or $2,379 a month.
- Hourly
- $13.73
- Vs. national median
- -24%
- Rank among cities
- 377 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 850
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $22,660Median: $28,550Highest 10%: $37,330
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,660 | $10.89 | |
| 25th | $26,890 | $12.93 | |
| Median | $28,550 | $13.73 | |
| 75th | $35,070 | $16.86 | |
| 90th | $37,330 | $17.95 |
Other cities in Louisiana
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| New Orleans, LA | $30,520 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $29,910 |
| Slidell, LA | $29,050 |
| Shreveport, LA | $28,440 |
| Houma, LA | $27,690 |
| Lafayette, LA | $27,660 |
| Alexandria, LA | $27,220 |
| Hammond, LA | $27,130 |
| Monroe, LA | $27,090 |
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 | $32,460 |
| 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 $13.73 ($28,550 a year).
Do cooks make more in Lake Charles than the national average?
No: $28,550 against $37,390 nationally, 24% less.
How does Lake Charles compare with the rest of Louisiana?
The median in Louisiana is $29,050, so Lake Charles pays 2% less.
Where does Lake Charles rank for cook pay?
377 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Lake Charles?
The lowest-paid 10% make $22,660 or less a year; the top 10% make $37,330 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.