Food Preparation Worker salary in Baton Rouge, LA
Food Preparation Workers in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area earn a median of $24,450 a year ($11.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,800 workers.
Pay ranges from $18,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $33,800 for the top 10%. That is 31% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 4% higher than the Louisiana statewide median of $23,620. There are 14 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $25,950, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Baton Rouge, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $18,870 | $9.07 |
| 25th percentile | $22,600 | $10.87 |
| Median | $24,450 | $11.76 |
| 75th percentile | $27,990 | $13.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $33,800 | $16.25 |
| Average (mean) | $25,950 | $12.48 |
Half of food preparation workers 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 | $2,037.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,018.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $940.38 |
| Weekly | $470.19 |
| Hourly | $11.76 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Preparation Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $26,200 | 7,250 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $24,380 | 2,070 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $23,380 | 1,940 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $22,980 | 2,860 |
| Lafayette, LA | $22,920 | 3,260 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $22,810 | 1,150 |
| Hammond, LA | $22,740 | 870 |
| Monroe, LA | $22,430 | 1,630 |
| Alexandria, LA | $22,080 | 980 |
Highest-paying states for food preparation workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $40,910 |
| District of Columbia | $39,600 |
| California | $39,350 |
| Colorado | $38,960 |
| Massachusetts | $38,900 |
| Hawaii | $38,160 |
| Oregon | $37,450 |
| North Dakota | $36,800 |
| New Hampshire | $36,780 |
| Arizona | $36,750 |
See Food Preparation Worker pay in every state or the Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baton Rouge, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $29,910 | $14.38 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $24,740 | $11.90 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $33,540 | $16.13 |
| Cooks, All Other | $28,930 | $13.91 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $23,650 | $11.37 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $15,080 | $7.25 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,380 | $17.97 |
| Bartender | $20,640 | $9.92 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $22,430 | $10.78 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,230 | $14.05 |
| Dishwasher | $27,580 | $13.26 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $21,640 | $10.40 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $27,330 | $13.14 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $45,570 | $21.91 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Baton Rouge, LA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2021. 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 food preparation worker make in Baton Rouge, LA?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area is $24,450 a year, or $11.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $18,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $33,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Baton Rouge, LA?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area earn at least $33,800 a year. The top 25% earn $27,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Baton Rouge, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $18,870 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $22,600 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Baton Rouge, LA?
About 5,800 food preparation workers are employed in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.