Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Lake Charles, LA
Chefs and Head Cooks in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn a median of $43,520 a year ($20.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,520 for the top 10%. That is 30% lower than the national median of $62,470. Pay here is 4% lower than the Louisiana statewide median of $45,570. There are 1.1 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $48,530, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Lake Charles, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,140 | $15.93 |
| 25th percentile | $36,130 | $17.37 |
| Median | $43,520 | $20.93 |
| 75th percentile | $52,520 | $25.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,520 | $36.31 |
| Average (mean) | $48,530 | $23.33 |
Half of chefs and head cooks earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,626.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,813.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,673.85 |
| Weekly | $836.92 |
| Hourly | $20.93 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Alexandria, LA | $47,670 | 60 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $46,400 | 660 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $45,570 | 290 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $43,240 | 130 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $42,930 | 100 |
| Hammond, LA | $42,680 | 50 |
| Lafayette, LA | $42,060 | 180 |
| Monroe, LA | $39,990 | 80 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $38,560 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for chefs and head cooks
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $79,930 |
| Hawaii | $77,360 |
| District of Columbia | $76,420 |
| Washington | $76,010 |
| North Dakota | $74,740 |
| New Jersey | $74,280 |
| Wyoming | $73,170 |
| South Carolina | $71,860 |
| New York | $70,670 |
| Tennessee | $69,810 |
See Chefs and Head Cooks pay in every state or the Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lake Charles, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $34,230 | $16.46 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $22,500 | $10.82 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $15,080 | $7.25 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $23,380 | $11.24 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $28,550 | $13.73 |
| Bartender | $18,280 | $8.79 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $20,930 | $10.06 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $20,770 | $9.98 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $32,460 | $15.61 |
| Dishwasher | $24,760 | $11.91 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $20,470 | $9.84 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $25,590 | $12.31 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Lake Charles, LA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chefs and head cooks make in Lake Charles, LA?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in the Lake Charles, LA metro area is $43,520 a year, or $20.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Lake Charles, LA?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn at least $75,520 a year. The top 25% earn $52,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Lake Charles, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,140 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $36,130 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Lake Charles, LA?
About 110 chefs and head cooks are employed in the Lake Charles, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.