Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Baton Rouge, LA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Baton Rouge, LA

Median annual salary $27,220 -25.3% vs national
Median hourly $13.09
10th percentile $22,010
90th percentile $36,150
Employed locally 1,320
National median $36,450

Compare Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary & buying power

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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
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Baton Rouge, LA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $22,010
    25th
    $22,680
    50th (median)
    $27,220
    75th
    $32,720
    90th
    $36,150

    Baton Rouge economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,910 2023 • Census ACS
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary vs area income 40% Median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary is 60% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $54,840
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $50,290
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $50,150
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $49,850
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $48,940
    Washington $48,260

    Nearby metros — Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $48,940
    Alaska nonmetropolitan area $48,080
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $47,920
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $47,700
    Alaska $46,900
    Walla Walla, WA $45,940

    Related occupations in Baton Rouge, LA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $23,280
    Waiters and Waitresses $16,190
    Food Preparation Workers $23,420
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $37,700
    Cooks, Restaurant $30,110
    Bartenders $19,020

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make per hour in Baton Rouge?

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Baton Rouge, LA is $13.09, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $16.98 or more per hour.

    Is Baton Rouge above or below average for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salaries?

    The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Baton Rouge, LA is 25.3% below the national median of $36,450. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Baton Rouge?

    Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria (10th percentile) earn around $22,010 per year in Baton Rouge, LA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $22,680.