How much does a food preparation worker make in New Orleans?
$26,200a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area. That is $12.60 an hour or $2,183 a month.
- Hourly
- $12.60
- Vs. national median
- -26%
- Rank among cities
- 368 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 7,250
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $18,490Median: $26,200Highest 10%: $36,210
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $18,490 | $8.89 | |
| 25th | $22,120 | $10.63 | |
| Median | $26,200 | $12.60 | |
| 75th | $29,990 | $14.42 | |
| 90th | $36,210 | $17.41 |
Other cities in Louisiana
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Baton Rouge, LA | $24,450 |
| Slidell, LA | $24,380 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $23,380 |
| 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 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 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $25,470 |
| Cook | $24,720 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in New Orleans?
The median hourly pay in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area is $12.60 ($26,200 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in New Orleans than the national average?
No: $26,200 against $35,320 nationally, 26% less.
How does New Orleans compare with the rest of Louisiana?
The median in Louisiana is $23,620, so New Orleans pays 11% more.
Where does New Orleans rank for food preparation worker pay?
368 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in New Orleans?
The lowest-paid 10% make $18,490 or less a year; the top 10% make $36,210 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.