Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Southwest Louisiana

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Southwest Louisiana nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $25,700 -57.9% vs national
Median hourly $12.35
10th percentile $25,560
90th percentile $60,010
Employed locally 50
National median $60,990

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Chefs and Head Cooks
in
Southwest Louisiana
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $25,560
    25th
    $25,560
    50th (median)
    $25,700
    75th
    $39,080
    90th
    $60,010

    Top-paying metros for Chefs and Head Cooks

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $87,410
    Morgantown, WV $87,280
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $85,370
    Terre Haute, IN $83,880
    East Arkansas nonmetropolitan area $81,720
    Hawaii $81,200

    Related occupations in Southwest Louisiana

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $21,480
    Food Preparation Workers $21,720
    Waiters and Waitresses $15,620
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $30,760
    Cooks, Restaurant $24,420
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $24,340

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Southwest Louisiana?

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Southwest Louisiana is $12.35, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $78.30 or more per hour.

    Is Southwest Louisiana above or below average for Chefs and Head Cooks salaries?

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Southwest Louisiana is 57.9% below the national median of $60,990. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Chefs and Head Cooks in Southwest Louisiana?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $25,560 per year in Southwest Louisiana. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $25,560.