Food Preparation Workers Salary in Lake Charles, LA

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

Median annual salary $22,880 -33.1% vs national
Median hourly $11.00
10th percentile $17,930
90th percentile $34,080
Employed locally 2,150
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Lake Charles, LA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $17,930
    25th
    $21,770
    50th (median)
    $22,880
    75th
    $29,020
    90th
    $34,080

    Lake Charles economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $67,010 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 34% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 66% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Food Preparation Workers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $44,120
    Napa, CA $43,260
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $42,830
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $41,980
    Boulder, CO $41,490
    Greeley, CO $41,340

    Nearby metros — Food Preparation Workers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $44,120
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $39,660
    Fort Collins-Loveland, CO $38,240
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $38,130
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $37,810
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $37,330

    Related occupations in Lake Charles, LA

    OccupationMedian salary
    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
    Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop $20,080

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Lake Charles?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Lake Charles, LA is $11.00, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.21 or more per hour.

    Is Lake Charles above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Lake Charles, LA is 33.1% below the national median of $34,220. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Food Preparation Workers in Lake Charles?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $17,930 per year in Lake Charles, LA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $21,770.