New Orleans-Metairie, LA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Fast Food or Counter Worker Salary in New Orleans-Metairie, LA

In the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metropolitan area, fast food or counter workers earned a median annual wage of $23,900 ($11.49/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $19,500/year and the 90th was $35,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Louisiana tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $20,961 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 92.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$23,900$11.49 per hour · $1,992 monthly
10th Percentile$19,500$9.38/hr base
25th Percentile$22,900$11.01/hr base
75th Percentile$28,000$13.46/hr base
90th Percentile$35,000$16.83/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

$23,900
$15,000$50,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$23,900
Net 88%
Fed 3%
LA 1%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$20,961After all taxes
Monthly deposit$1,747Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$806Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate12.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$780 / yr
Louisiana state income tax$331 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$1,828 / yr

Fast Food and Counter Workers Wage Percentiles in New Orleans-Metairie, 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 New Orleans-Metairie, LA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (LA)
10th Percentile$9.38/hr$1,625$19,500$17,470
25th Percentile$11.01/hr$1,908$22,900$20,167
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$11.49/hr$1,992$23,900$20,961
75th Percentile$13.46/hr$2,333$28,000$24,214
90th Percentile$16.83/hr$2,917$35,000$29,639

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in New Orleans-Metairie, LA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$23,900 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$62,655Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index92.67.4% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio38.1%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 New Orleans-Metairie, LA

What is the median salary for fast food or counter workers in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?

The official BLS median annual wage for fast food or counter workers in New Orleans-Metairie, LA is $23,900, which equates to approximately $1,992 per month or $11.49 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for fast food or counter workers in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?

The median hourly wage for fast food or counter workers in New Orleans-Metairie, LA is $11.49 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $9.38/hour and one in ten earned more than $16.83/hour.

What is the pay range for fast food or counter workers in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?

BLS wage estimates for fast food or counter workers in New Orleans-Metairie, LA span from $19,500 at the 10th percentile to $22,900 at the 25th, $28,000 at the 75th, and $35,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do fast food or counter workers take home after taxes in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?

On a median gross salary of $23,900, an estimated $20,961 lands in net take-home pay per year ($806 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Louisiana in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $2,939 (an effective rate of 12.3%).

How much do fast food or counter workers make per month in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?

On the median annual salary of $23,900, gross monthly income is $1,992. After federal, FICA, and Louisiana state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $1,747 per month (or $806 every two weeks).

Is $23,900 a good salary in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?

At $23,900, the median salary for fast food or counter workers is 38.1% of the New Orleans-Metairie, LA median household income ($62,655). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 92.6, making regional consumer goods and services 7.4% cheaper than the U.S. average.