SOC 35-1011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Chefs and Head Cooks — Central Louisiana
Central Louisiana nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Central Louisiana, LA is $47,890 a year, trailing the national median of $62,470 by 23.3%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Central Louisiana, LA is $47,890 a year, trailing the national median of $62,470 by 23.3%. Half of workers earn between $40,980 and $89,510. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $35,660 and the ninetieth at $99,360.
The area has 110 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.4 of every thousand jobs. Alexandria leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $47,670. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 120th of 255 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,660 | −42.9% |
| 25th | $40,980 | −34.4% |
| Median (50th) | $47,890 | −23.3% |
| 75th | $89,510 | +43.3% |
| 90th | $99,360 | +59.1% |
| Mean | $62,530 | +0.1% |
Other metro areas in Louisiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexandria | $47,670 | 60 | |
| 2 | New Orleans | $46,400 | 660 | |
| 3 | Baton Rouge | $45,570 | 290 | |
| 4 | Lake Charles | $43,520 | 110 | |
| 5 | Shreveport | $43,240 | 130 | |
| 6 | Slidell | $42,930 | 100 | |
| 7 | Hammond | $42,680 | 50 | |
| 8 | Lafayette | $42,060 | 180 | |
| 9 | Monroe | $39,990 | 80 | |
| 10 | Houma | $38,560 | 90 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Central Louisiana run 11.8% below the national average, so the median of $47,890 goes as far as $54,297 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 13.1% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$47,890as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$54,297US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $47,890 a year, 23.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $35,660 to $99,360 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 110 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Alexandria, at $47,670.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Central Louisiana, LA?
The median annual wage is $47,890, or $23.02 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $62,470, so pay in Central Louisiana, LA is 23.3% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Central Louisiana, LA earns more than $99,360 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $35,660 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Alexandria, at $47,670 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 110 jobs in this occupation in Central Louisiana, LA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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