How much does a cook make in New Orleans?
$30,840a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area. That is $14.83 an hour or $2,570 a month.
- Hourly
- $14.83
- Vs. national median
- -18%
- Rank among cities
- 50 of 63
- Jobs in the area
- 120
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $23,950Median: $30,840Highest 10%: $42,860
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,950 | $11.51 | |
| 25th | $28,860 | $13.88 | |
| Median | $30,840 | $14.83 | |
| 75th | $38,770 | $18.64 | |
| 90th | $42,860 | $20.61 |
Other cities in Louisiana
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Baton Rouge, LA | $28,930 |
| Lafayette, LA | $26,140 |
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 | $30,520 |
| 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 |
| 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 $14.83 ($30,840 a year).
Do cooks make more in New Orleans than the national average?
No: $30,840 against $37,690 nationally, 18% less.
How does New Orleans compare with the rest of Louisiana?
The median in Louisiana is $28,930, so New Orleans pays 7% more.
Where does New Orleans rank for cook pay?
50 of 63 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in New Orleans?
The lowest-paid 10% make $23,950 or less a year; the top 10% make $42,860 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.