How much does a food preparation and serving related worker make in New Orleans?
Median yearly pay for food preparation and serving related workers in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area. That is $11.26 an hour or $1,952 a month.
- Hourly
- $11.26
- Vs. national median
- -35%
- Rank among cities
- 158 of 171
- Jobs in the area
- 1,200
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $19,020 | $9.14 | |
| 25th | $20,130 | $9.68 | |
| Median | $23,420 | $11.26 | |
| 75th | $35,080 | $16.87 | |
| 90th | $38,540 | $18.53 |
Other cities in Louisiana
Median yearly pay for food preparation and serving related workers.
| Slidell, LA | $24,220 |
| Hammond, LA | $24,150 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $21,640 |
| Houma, LA | $21,370 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $20,470 |
| Shreveport, LA | $20,330 |
| Monroe, LA | $19,500 |
| Lafayette, LA | $19,420 |
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 food preparation and serving related worker make an hour in New Orleans?
The median hourly pay in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area is $11.26 ($23,420 a year).
Do food preparation and serving related workers make more in New Orleans than the national average?
No: $23,420 against $35,840 nationally, 35% less.
How does New Orleans compare with the rest of Louisiana?
The median in Louisiana is $21,820, so New Orleans pays 7% more.
Where does New Orleans rank for food preparation and serving related worker pay?
158 of 171 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation and serving related worker make starting out in New Orleans?
The lowest-paid 10% make $19,020 or less a year; the top 10% make $38,540 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.