How much does a cook make in New Orleans?
$30,520a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area. That is $14.67 an hour or $2,543 a month.
- Hourly
- $14.67
- Vs. national median
- -18%
- Rank among cities
- 332 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 4,720
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $23,000Median: $30,520Highest 10%: $43,860
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,000 | $11.06 | |
| 25th | $28,190 | $13.55 | |
| Median | $30,520 | $14.67 | |
| 75th | $37,740 | $18.14 | |
| 90th | $43,860 | $21.09 |
Other cities in Louisiana
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Baton Rouge, LA | $29,910 |
| Slidell, LA | $29,050 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $28,550 |
| 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 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 |
| 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 cook make an hour in New Orleans?
The median hourly pay in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area is $14.67 ($30,520 a year).
Do cooks make more in New Orleans than the national average?
No: $30,520 against $37,390 nationally, 18% less.
How does New Orleans compare with the rest of Louisiana?
The median in Louisiana is $29,050, so New Orleans pays 5% more.
Where does New Orleans rank for cook pay?
332 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in New Orleans?
The lowest-paid 10% make $23,000 or less a year; the top 10% make $43,860 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.