Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Southwest Louisiana

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

Median annual salary $24,420 -33.7% vs national
Median hourly $11.74
10th percentile $19,780
90th percentile $34,240
Employed locally 360
National median $36,830

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Cooks, Restaurant
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Southwest Louisiana
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $19,780
    25th
    $21,700
    50th (median)
    $24,420
    75th
    $28,850
    90th
    $34,240

    Top-paying metros for Cooks, Restaurant

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $48,320
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $46,970
    Portland-South Portland, ME $46,960
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $46,960
    Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area $46,500
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $46,340

    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, Institution and Cafeteria $24,340
    Bartenders $15,600

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Cooks, Restaurant make per hour in Southwest Louisiana?

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Restaurant in Southwest Louisiana is $11.74, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.50 or more per hour.

    Is Southwest Louisiana above or below average for Cooks, Restaurant salaries?

    The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in Southwest Louisiana is 33.7% below the national median of $36,830. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Cooks, Restaurant in Southwest Louisiana?

    Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant (10th percentile) earn around $19,780 per year in Southwest Louisiana. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $21,700.