Chefs and Head Cooks Pay Range in Louisiana
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$32,320
- 25th Percentile — Junior$39,650
- 50th Percentile — Median$45,570
- 75th Percentile — Senior$59,020
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$86,750
Half of Chefs and Head Cooks in Louisiana earn more than $45,570. The top 10% make $86,750 or more, while entry-level workers start around $32,320.
Chefs and Head Cooks in Louisiana: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Louisiana ranks 50th of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks pay, at $52,820 per year (20.8% below the U.S. average of $66,700).
- 1,990 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in Louisiana — 1.0% of all U.S. Chefs and Head Cooks jobs.
- Location quotient 0.80: Chefs and Head Cooks jobs are less concentrated in Louisiana than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $32,320; the top 10% earn over $86,750.
- Hourly equivalent: $25.39 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Rhode Island at $84,860.
- Among hospitality jobs in Louisiana, First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation pays the most ($39,360).
Chefs and Head Cooks Job Market in Louisiana
Key factors affecting compensation
Louisiana's key industries are Energy, Tourism, Agriculture, and its job market is rated moderate. Chefs and Head Cooks here earn $52,820 on average, placing the state 50th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a Louisiana salary of $52,820 is roughly equivalent to $60,023 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Kentucky ($55,770), Indiana ($55,060), Arkansas ($53,820) are the closest alternatives for Chefs and Head Cooks weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Hospitality Jobs in Louisiana
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $39,360/yr Louisiana 25.5% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $30,630/yr Louisiana 42.0% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $27,300/yr Louisiana 48.3% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $27,250/yr Louisiana 48.4% vs this role
- Bartenders $25,250/yr Louisiana 52.2% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $25,130/yr Louisiana 52.4% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $24,580/yr Louisiana 53.5% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $22,350/yr Louisiana 57.7% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Louisiana?
The average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Louisiana is $52,820 per year (median $45,570), which is 20.8% below the national average of $66,700.
How does Louisiana rank for Chefs and Head Cooks pay?
Louisiana ranks 50th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Rhode Island ($84,860/yr).
How much do entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks make in Louisiana?
The lowest-paid 10% of Chefs and Head Cooks in Louisiana earn about $32,320 per year and the 25th percentile is $39,650.
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Louisiana?
About $25.39 per hour, based on the $52,820 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Chefs and Head Cooks work in Louisiana?
BLS counts 1,990 Chefs and Head Cooks jobs in Louisiana (OEWS May 2025).
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