Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Louisiana
Chefs and Head Cooks in Louisiana earn a median of $45,570 a year ($21.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,990 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,750 for the top 10%. That is 27% lower than the national median of $62,470. Louisiana ranks 51st of 51 states for chefs and head cooks pay. There are 1.0 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $52,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Louisiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,320 | $15.54 |
| 25th percentile | $39,650 | $19.06 |
| Median | $45,570 | $21.91 |
| 75th percentile | $59,020 | $28.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,750 | $41.71 |
| Average (mean) | $52,820 | $25.40 |
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 | $3,797.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,898.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,752.69 |
| Weekly | $876.35 |
| Hourly | $21.91 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $45,570 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 cities in Louisiana
| 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 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $38,560 | 90 |
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 |
Related jobs in Louisiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $35,800 | $17.21 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $22,800 | $10.96 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $15,080 | $7.25 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $23,620 | $11.36 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $29,050 | $13.97 |
| Bartender | $20,850 | $10.02 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $22,060 | $10.61 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $25,490 | $12.26 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $26,780 | $12.88 |
| Dishwasher | $26,440 | $12.71 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $21,820 | $10.49 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $24,960 | $12.00 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $27,200 | $13.08 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $26,260 | $12.63 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Louisiana
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 Louisiana?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in Louisiana is $45,570 a year, or $21.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Louisiana?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in Louisiana earn at least $86,750 a year. The top 25% earn $59,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Louisiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,320 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $39,650 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Louisiana?
About 1,990 chefs and head cooks are employed in Louisiana, not counting the self-employed.