SOC 35-1011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Chefs and Head Cooks — Northeast Louisiana
Northeast Louisiana nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Northeast Louisiana, LA is $40,980 per year, substantially below the national median of $62,470 — a gap of 34.4%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Northeast Louisiana, LA is $40,980 per year, substantially below the national median of $62,470 — a gap of 34.4%. Half of workers earn between $36,880 and $47,000. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $31,200 and the ninetieth at $77,280.
Within the state, Alexandria records the highest median at $47,670. Of the 238 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 142nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,200 | −50.1% |
| 25th | $36,880 | −41.0% |
| Median (50th) | $40,980 | −34.4% |
| 75th | $47,000 | −24.8% |
| 90th | $77,280 | +23.7% |
| Mean | $50,680 | −18.9% |
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 Northeast Louisiana run 11.8% below the national average, so the median of $40,980 goes as far as $46,463 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 25.6% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$40,980as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$46,463US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $40,980 a year, 34.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $31,200 to $77,280 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- 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 Northeast Louisiana, LA?
The median annual wage is $40,980, or $19.70 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 Northeast Louisiana, LA is 34.4% 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 Northeast Louisiana, LA earns more than $77,280 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $31,200 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.
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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