SOC 35-1011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Chefs and Head Cooks — Slidell
Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA · 9 metro areas compared
At $42,930, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Chefs and Head Cooks, 31.3% beneath the national figure of $62,470.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $42,930, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Chefs and Head Cooks, 31.3% beneath the national figure of $62,470. Pay ranges from under $38,710 at the tenth percentile to more than $77,240 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $42,930 to $55,060.
The area has 100 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.76 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Alexandria records the highest median at $47,670. Of the 264 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 170th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,710 | −38.0% |
| 25th | $42,930 | −31.3% |
| Median (50th) | $42,930 | −31.3% |
| 75th | $55,060 | −11.9% |
| 90th | $77,240 | +23.6% |
| Mean | $50,030 | −19.9% |
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 | Hammond | $42,680 | 50 | |
| 7 | Lafayette | $42,060 | 180 | |
| 8 | Monroe | $39,990 | 80 | |
| 9 | Houma | $38,560 | 90 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Slidell run 11.8% below the national average, so the median of $42,930 goes as far as $48,673 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 22.1% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$42,930as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$48,673US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $42,930 a year, 31.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $38,710 to $77,240 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 100 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 Slidell, LA?
The median annual wage is $42,930, or $20.64 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 Slidell, LA is 31.3% 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 Slidell, LA earns more than $77,240 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $38,710 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 100 jobs in this occupation in Slidell, 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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