Lake Charles, LA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Fast Food or Counter Worker Salary in Lake Charles, LA

In the Lake Charles, LA metropolitan area, fast food or counter workers earned a median annual wage of $22,200 ($10.67/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $18,100/year and the 90th was $32,400/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Louisiana tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $19,612 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 85.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$22,200$10.67 per hour · $1,850 monthly
10th Percentile$18,100$8.70/hr base
25th Percentile$21,200$10.19/hr base
75th Percentile$26,000$12.50/hr base
90th Percentile$32,400$15.58/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$22,200
$15,000$45,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$22,200
Net 88%
Fed 3%
LA 1%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$19,612After all taxes
Monthly deposit$1,634Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$754Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate11.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$610 / yr
Louisiana state income tax$280 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$1,698 / yr

Fast Food and Counter Workers Wage Percentiles in Lake Charles, LA

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Fast Food and Counter Workers in the Lake Charles, LA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (LA)
10th Percentile$8.70/hr$1,508$18,100$16,359
25th Percentile$10.19/hr$1,767$21,200$18,818
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$10.67/hr$1,850$22,200$19,612
75th Percentile$12.50/hr$2,167$26,000$22,627
90th Percentile$15.58/hr$2,700$32,400$27,628

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Lake Charles, LA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$22,200 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$66,700Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index85.914.1% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio33.3%of area median income

Compare fast food or counter workers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Louisiana:

Frequently Asked Questions About Fast Food and Counter Workers Pay in Lake Charles, LA

What is the median salary for fast food or counter workers in Lake Charles, LA?

The official BLS median annual wage for fast food or counter workers in Lake Charles, LA is $22,200, which equates to approximately $1,850 per month or $10.67 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for fast food or counter workers in Lake Charles, LA?

The median hourly wage for fast food or counter workers in Lake Charles, LA is $10.67 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $8.70/hour and one in ten earned more than $15.58/hour.

What is the pay range for fast food or counter workers in Lake Charles, LA?

BLS wage estimates for fast food or counter workers in Lake Charles, LA span from $18,100 at the 10th percentile to $21,200 at the 25th, $26,000 at the 75th, and $32,400 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do fast food or counter workers take home after taxes in Lake Charles, LA?

On a median gross salary of $22,200, an estimated $19,612 lands in net take-home pay per year ($754 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Louisiana in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $2,588 (an effective rate of 11.7%).

How much do fast food or counter workers make per month in Lake Charles, LA?

On the median annual salary of $22,200, gross monthly income is $1,850. After federal, FICA, and Louisiana state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $1,634 per month (or $754 every two weeks).

Is $22,200 a good salary in Lake Charles, LA?

At $22,200, the median salary for fast food or counter workers is 33.3% of the Lake Charles, LA median household income ($66,700). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 85.9, making regional consumer goods and services 14.1% cheaper than the U.S. average.