Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other Salary in Lake Charles, LA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Lake Charles, LA

Median annual salary $20,170 -42.1% vs national
Median hourly $9.70
10th percentile $16,380
90th percentile $38,390
Employed locally 210
National median $34,830

Compare Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other salary & buying power

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Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other
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Lake Charles, LA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $16,380
    25th
    $16,980
    50th (median)
    $20,170
    75th
    $29,190
    90th
    $38,390

    Lake Charles economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $67,010 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other salary vs area income 30% Median Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other salary is 70% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $77,840
    Hawaii $62,110
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $58,030
    Salem, OR $49,900
    Bend, OR $45,810
    Virgin Islands $43,410

    Nearby metros — Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Virgin Islands $43,410
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $43,000
    Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ $39,880
    Maryland nonmetropolitan area $39,190
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $38,960
    Flagstaff, AZ $38,310

    Related occupations in Lake Charles, LA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Food Preparation Workers$22,880
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$22,630
    Waiters and Waitresses$17,670
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$33,420
    Cooks, Restaurant$29,460
    Bartenders$19,620

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other make per hour in Lake Charles?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other in Lake Charles, LA is $9.70, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.17 or more per hour.

    Is Lake Charles above or below average for Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other salaries?

    The median Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other salary in Lake Charles, LA is 42.1% below the national median of $34,830. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other in Lake Charles?

    Entry-level Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other (10th percentile) earn around $16,380 per year in Lake Charles, LA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $16,980.