SOC 35-3023 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Fast Food and Counter Workers — Northeast Louisiana
Northeast Louisiana nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Fast Food and Counter Workers in Northeast Louisiana, LA is $21,810 per year, substantially below the national median of $31,200 — a gap of 30.1%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Fast Food and Counter Workers in Northeast Louisiana, LA is $21,810 per year, substantially below the national median of $31,200 — a gap of 30.1%. Pay ranges from under $17,650 at the tenth percentile to more than $27,200 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $20,680 to $22,440.
Employment stands at 1,930, or 30.9 jobs per thousand held locally. New Orleans leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $25,470. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 230th of 238 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $17,650 | −43.4% |
| 25th | $20,680 | −33.7% |
| Median (50th) | $21,810 | −30.1% |
| 75th | $22,440 | −28.1% |
| 90th | $27,200 | −12.8% |
| Mean | $22,590 | −27.6% |
Other metro areas in Louisiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Orleans | $25,470 | 10,110 | |
| 2 | Baton Rouge | $23,650 | 8,490 | |
| 3 | Slidell | $23,380 | 2,970 | |
| 4 | Lake Charles | $22,500 | 2,350 | |
| 5 | Shreveport | $22,460 | 4,150 | |
| 6 | Hammond | $22,350 | 1,560 | |
| 7 | Lafayette | $22,320 | 4,480 | |
| 8 | Houma | $22,280 | 1,990 | |
| 9 | Alexandria | $21,760 | 1,490 | |
| 10 | Monroe | $21,550 | 2,060 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northeast Louisiana run 11.8% below the national average, so the median of $21,810 goes as far as $24,728 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 20.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$21,810as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$24,728US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $21,810 a year, 30.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $17,650 to $27,200 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,930 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is New Orleans, at $25,470.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Fast Food and Counter Workers in Northeast Louisiana, LA?
The median annual wage is $21,810, or $10.48 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 $31,200, so pay in Northeast Louisiana, LA is 30.1% 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 $27,200 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $17,650 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 New Orleans, at $25,470 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,930 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.
Explore related data