How much does a food preparation worker make in Lake Charles?
$23,380a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Lake Charles, LA metro area. That is $11.24 an hour or $1,948 a month.
- Hourly
- $11.24
- Vs. national median
- -34%
- Rank among cities
- 381 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 1,940
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $17,740Median: $23,380Highest 10%: $35,800
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $17,740 | $8.53 | |
| 25th | $22,090 | $10.62 | |
| Median | $23,380 | $11.24 | |
| 75th | $29,310 | $14.09 | |
| 90th | $35,800 | $17.21 |
Other cities in Louisiana
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| New Orleans, LA | $26,200 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $24,450 |
| Slidell, LA | $24,380 |
| Shreveport, LA | $22,980 |
| Lafayette, LA | $22,920 |
| Houma, LA | $22,810 |
| Hammond, LA | $22,740 |
| Monroe, LA | $22,430 |
| Alexandria, LA | $22,080 |
Related jobs in Lake Charles
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $43,520 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $34,230 |
| Cook | $32,460 |
| Cook | $28,550 |
| Food Server | $25,590 |
| Dishwasher | $24,760 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $22,500 |
| Host and Hostess | $20,930 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $20,770 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $20,470 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Lake Charles?
The median hourly pay in the Lake Charles, LA metro area is $11.24 ($23,380 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Lake Charles than the national average?
No: $23,380 against $35,320 nationally, 34% less.
How does Lake Charles compare with the rest of Louisiana?
The median in Louisiana is $23,620, so Lake Charles pays 1% less.
Where does Lake Charles rank for food preparation worker pay?
381 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Lake Charles?
The lowest-paid 10% make $17,740 or less a year; the top 10% make $35,800 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.