Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay range in Lake Charles
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $23,300 a year or less, while the top 10% make $39,590 or more. The middle half of cooks, institution and cafeteria in Lake Charles earn between $27,040 and $33,710.
- $23K10th
- $27K25th
- $32KMedian
- $34K75th
- $40K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $31,940 | $2,662 | $15.36 |
| Median | $32,460 | $2,705 | $15.61 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $27,040 | $2,253 | $13.00 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $33,710 | $2,809 | $16.21 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in Lake Charles vs. Louisiana and the U.S.
Cooks, institution and cafeteria in Lake Charles earn 17% more than the Louisiana average ($27,300) and 18% less than the U.S. average ($38,810). At the median the gap is -13% against the U.S. median of $37,450.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Charles | $31,940 | $32,460 | $23,300 | $39,590 | 280 |
| Louisiana | $27,300 | $25,490 | $19,250 | $36,200 | 5,740 |
| United States | $38,810 | $37,450 | $28,480 | $49,670 | 441,050 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary after taxes in Lake Charles
On the average salary of $31,940, a single filer in Lake Charles takes home about $27,272 a year, or $2,273 a month and $1,049 every two weeks. Taxes take 15% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Lake Charles a good place for cooks, institution and cafeteria? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Lake Charles area are 14% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 85.9), so the average $31,940 buys what about $37,204 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.7 times the median wage of all jobs in Lake Charles ($45,700). A typical home costs $202,237, or 6.3 years of this average salary before tax.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in other Louisiana cities
Lake Charles ranks 1st of 10 Louisiana metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Lake Charles$31,940
- Slidell$31,600
- Shreveport$30,570
- New Orleans$30,110
- Baton Rouge$27,080
- Lafayette$27,000
- Houma$26,140
- Hammond$25,420
- Alexandria$25,190
- Monroe$24,610
Highest-paying cities for cooks, institution and cafeteria
Kahului, HI pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($57,770).
- Kahului, HI$57,770
- San Jose, CA$54,290
- Seattle, WA$53,820
- Barnstable, MA$52,850
- San Francisco, CA$52,440
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Lake Charles: questions
How much do cooks, institution and cafeteria make an hour in Lake Charles?
$15.36 an hour on average, and $15.61 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level cooks, institution and cafeteria salary in Lake Charles?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $23,300 a year and the 25th percentile is $27,040, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the cooks, institution and cafeteria take-home pay in Lake Charles?
About $27,272 a year ($2,273 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $31,940.
Do cooks, institution and cafeteria earn more in Lake Charles than elsewhere?
The average here is 18% less than the U.S. average for this job ($38,810).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 35-2012; area Lake Charles, LA (29340). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 0.9%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.97, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.