Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Lake Charles, LA
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn a median of $32,460 a year ($15.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,590 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $37,450. Pay here is 27% higher than the Louisiana statewide median of $25,490. There are 2.8 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $31,940, close to the median.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Lake Charles, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,300 | $11.20 |
| 25th percentile | $27,040 | $13.00 |
| Median | $32,460 | $15.61 |
| 75th percentile | $33,710 | $16.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,590 | $19.03 |
| Average (mean) | $31,940 | $15.36 |
Half of cooks, institution and cafeteria 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 | $2,705 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,352.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,248.46 |
| Weekly | $624.23 |
| Hourly | $15.61 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $32,460 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $30,410 | 160 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $29,370 | 1,050 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $28,630 | 260 |
| Lafayette, LA | $26,400 | 470 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $24,740 | 1,240 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $23,480 | 420 |
| Monroe, LA | $22,980 | 300 |
| Alexandria, LA | $21,690 | 280 |
| Hammond, LA | $20,680 | 190 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, institution and cafeteria
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $49,670 |
| Alaska | $48,580 |
| Massachusetts | $47,790 |
| Hawaii | $47,770 |
| Rhode Island | $46,570 |
| California | $46,390 |
| Vermont | $46,370 |
| Connecticut | $46,120 |
| New York | $45,880 |
| District of Columbia | $45,450 |
See Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in every state or the Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lake Charles, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation Worker | $23,380 | $11.24 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $28,550 | $13.73 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $22,500 | $10.82 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $15,080 | $7.25 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $34,230 | $16.46 |
| Bartender | $18,280 | $8.79 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $20,930 | $10.06 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $20,770 | $9.98 |
| Dishwasher | $24,760 | $11.91 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $20,470 | $9.84 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $43,520 | $20.93 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $25,590 | $12.31 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Lake Charles, LA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2012. 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 cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Lake Charles, LA?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Lake Charles, LA metro area is $32,460 a year, or $15.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Lake Charles, LA?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn at least $39,590 a year. The top 25% earn $33,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Lake Charles, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,300 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $27,040 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Lake Charles, LA?
About 280 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in the Lake Charles, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.