SOC 35-2011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Fast Food — Northeast Louisiana
Northeast Louisiana nonmetropolitan area · 2 metro areas compared
Median pay in Northeast Louisiana, LA is $22,880 a year, 25.9% under the national median of $30,890 for this occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay in Northeast Louisiana, LA is $22,880 a year, 25.9% under the national median of $30,890 for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $20,740 and $27,040. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $20,740 and the ninetieth at $27,480.
The area has 180 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 2.8 of every thousand jobs. Alexandria leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $24,170. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 225th of 238 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $20,740 | −32.9% |
| 25th | $20,740 | −32.9% |
| Median (50th) | $22,880 | −25.9% |
| 75th | $27,040 | −12.5% |
| 90th | $27,480 | −11.0% |
| Mean | $23,860 | −22.8% |
Other metro areas in Louisiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexandria | $24,170 | 120 | |
| 2 | Shreveport | $23,930 | 310 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northeast Louisiana run 11.8% below the national average, so the median of $22,880 goes as far as $25,941 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 16.0% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$22,880as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$25,941US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $22,880 a year, 25.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $20,740 to $27,480 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 180 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Alexandria, at $24,170.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Fast Food in Northeast Louisiana, LA?
The median annual wage is $22,880, or $11.00 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 $30,890, so pay in Northeast Louisiana, LA is 25.9% 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 $27,480 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $20,740 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 $24,170 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 180 jobs in this occupation in Northeast 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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