How much does a cook make in Lafayette?
$29,540a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area. That is $14.20 an hour or $2,462 a month.
- Hourly
- $14.20
- Vs. national median
- -4%
- Rank among cities
- 139 of 308
- Jobs in the area
- 270
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $23,500Median: $29,540Highest 10%: $36,400
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,500 | $11.30 | |
| 25th | $27,200 | $13.08 | |
| Median | $29,540 | $14.20 | |
| 75th | $35,040 | $16.85 | |
| 90th | $36,400 | $17.50 |
Other cities in Indiana
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Chicago, IL | $35,360 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $30,500 |
| South Bend, IN | $29,540 |
| Bloomington, IN | $29,290 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $28,930 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $27,800 |
| Louisville, KY | $26,990 |
Related jobs in Lafayette
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $44,750 |
| Chef and Head Cook | $40,300 |
| Cook | $38,580 |
| Cook | $34,870 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $34,820 |
| Food Server | $29,990 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $29,500 |
| Dishwasher | $28,690 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $28,420 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $28,230 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Lafayette?
The median hourly pay in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area is $14.20 ($29,540 a year).
Do cooks make more in Lafayette than the national average?
No: $29,540 against $30,890 nationally, 4% less.
How does Lafayette compare with the rest of Indiana?
The median in Indiana is $29,870, so Lafayette pays 1% less.
Where does Lafayette rank for cook pay?
139 of 308 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Lafayette?
The lowest-paid 10% make $23,500 or less a year; the top 10% make $36,400 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.