Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders Salary in Southwest Louisiana

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

Median annual salary $36,470 -10.1% vs national
Median hourly $17.54
10th percentile $29,700
90th percentile $55,070
National median $40,550

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Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders
in
Southwest Louisiana
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,700
    25th
    $30,100
    50th (median)
    $36,470
    75th
    $43,010
    90th
    $55,070

    Top-paying metros for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Modesto, CA $80,310
    Cedar Rapids, IA $63,690
    Northwestern Idaho nonmetropolitan area $62,910
    Central East New York nonmetropolitan area $60,250
    Mid Michigan nonmetropolitan area $59,140
    Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY $55,870

    Related occupations in Southwest Louisiana

    OccupationMedian salary
    Production Workers, All Other $28,240
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $53,770
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $65,560
    Machinists $56,840
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $48,850
    Food Processing Workers, All Other $28,030

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders make per hour in Southwest Louisiana?

    The median hourly wage for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Southwest Louisiana is $17.54, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $26.48 or more per hour.

    Is Southwest Louisiana above or below average for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salaries?

    The median Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Southwest Louisiana is 10.1% below the national median of $40,550. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Southwest Louisiana?

    Entry-level Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders (10th percentile) earn around $29,700 per year in Southwest Louisiana. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $30,100.