Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA
Chefs and Head Cooks in the Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA metro area earn a median of $38,560 a year ($18.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,550 for the top 10%. That is 38% lower than the national median of $62,470. Pay here is 15% lower than the Louisiana statewide median of $45,570. There are 1.1 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $43,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,810 | $11.45 |
| 25th percentile | $23,810 | $11.45 |
| Median | $38,560 | $18.54 |
| 75th percentile | $49,640 | $23.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,550 | $35.36 |
| Average (mean) | $43,280 | $20.81 |
Half of chefs and head cooks earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,213.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,606.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,483.08 |
| Weekly | $741.54 |
| Hourly | $18.54 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $38,560 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Alexandria, LA | $47,670 | 60 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $46,400 | 660 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $45,570 | 290 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $43,520 | 110 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $43,240 | 130 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $42,930 | 100 |
| Hammond, LA | $42,680 | 50 |
| Lafayette, LA | $42,060 | 180 |
| Monroe, LA | $39,990 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for chefs and head cooks
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $79,930 |
| Hawaii | $77,360 |
| District of Columbia | $76,420 |
| Washington | $76,010 |
| North Dakota | $74,740 |
| New Jersey | $74,280 |
| Wyoming | $73,170 |
| South Carolina | $71,860 |
| New York | $70,670 |
| Tennessee | $69,810 |
See Chefs and Head Cooks pay in every state or the Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $34,500 | $16.59 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $22,280 | $10.71 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $15,080 | $7.25 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $22,810 | $10.97 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $27,690 | $13.31 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $23,480 | $11.29 |
| Bartender | $18,990 | $9.13 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $22,010 | $10.58 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,730 | $13.33 |
| Dishwasher | $26,830 | $12.90 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $21,370 | $10.28 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $25,070 | $12.06 |
| Cooks, All Other | $26,430 | $12.71 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chefs and head cooks make in Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in the Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA metro area is $38,560 a year, or $18.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in the Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA metro area earn at least $73,550 a year. The top 25% earn $49,640 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,810 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $23,810 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA?
About 90 chefs and head cooks are employed in the Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.