How much does a cook make in New Orleans?
$24,720a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area. That is $11.88 an hour or $2,060 a month.
- Hourly
- $11.88
- Vs. national median
- -31%
- Rank among cities
- 210 of 237
- Jobs in the area
- 500
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $20,990Median: $24,720Highest 10%: $38,720
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $20,990 | $10.09 | |
| 25th | $20,990 | $10.09 | |
| Median | $24,720 | $11.88 | |
| 75th | $33,420 | $16.07 | |
| 90th | $38,720 | $18.62 |
Other cities in Louisiana
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Baton Rouge, LA | $33,540 |
| Hammond, LA | $31,800 |
| Shreveport, LA | $25,050 |
| Lafayette, LA | $24,340 |
| Monroe, LA | $23,350 |
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 |
| 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 |
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 $11.88 ($24,720 a year).
Do cooks make more in New Orleans than the national average?
No: $24,720 against $35,880 nationally, 31% less.
How does New Orleans compare with the rest of Louisiana?
The median in Louisiana is $26,260, so New Orleans pays 6% less.
Where does New Orleans rank for cook pay?
210 of 237 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in New Orleans?
The lowest-paid 10% make $20,990 or less a year; the top 10% make $38,720 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.