Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Louisiana
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Louisiana earn a median of $25,490 a year ($12.26 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,740 workers.
Pay ranges from $19,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,200 for the top 10%. That is 32% lower than the national median of $37,450. Louisiana ranks 51st of 51 states for cooks, institution and cafeteria pay. There are 3.0 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $27,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Louisiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $19,250 | $9.26 |
| 25th percentile | $22,290 | $10.72 |
| Median | $25,490 | $12.26 |
| 75th percentile | $30,410 | $14.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,200 | $17.40 |
| Average (mean) | $27,300 | $13.13 |
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 | $2,124.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,062.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $980.38 |
| Weekly | $490.19 |
| Hourly | $12.26 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $25,490 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 cities in Louisiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Charles, LA | $32,460 | 280 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Louisiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation Worker | $23,620 | $11.36 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $29,050 | $13.97 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $24,960 | $12.00 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $26,260 | $12.63 |
| Cooks, All Other | $28,930 | $13.91 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $22,800 | $10.96 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $15,080 | $7.25 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $35,800 | $17.21 |
| Bartender | $20,850 | $10.02 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $22,060 | $10.61 |
| 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 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $27,200 | $13.08 |
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 35-2012. 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 Louisiana?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Louisiana is $25,490 a year, or $12.26 an hour. Pay ranges from $19,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Louisiana?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in Louisiana earn at least $36,200 a year. The top 25% earn $30,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Louisiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $19,250 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $22,290 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Louisiana?
About 5,740 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in Louisiana, not counting the self-employed.