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Lake Charles, LA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Lake Charles, LA

In the Lake Charles, LA metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $23,000 ($11.06/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $17,500/year and the 90th was $33,300/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Louisiana tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $20,247 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 85.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$23,000$11.06 per hour · $1,917 monthly
10th Percentile$17,500$8.41/hr base
25th Percentile$20,900$10.05/hr base
75th Percentile$27,900$13.41/hr base
90th Percentile$33,300$16.01/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 payWhat $23,000 a year leaves after tax in LouisianaFederal tax, FICA and Louisiana withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$11 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $23,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $23,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation Louisiana publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about Louisiana.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$23,000
$15,000$50,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$23,000
Net 88%
Fed 3%
LA 1%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$20,247After all taxes
Monthly deposit$1,687Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$779Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate12%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$690 / yr
Louisiana state income tax$304 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$1,760 / yr
Customize deductions in full Louisiana calculator

Food Preparation 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 Food Preparation Workers in the Lake Charles, LA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (LA)
10th Percentile$8.41/hr$1,458$17,500$15,883
25th Percentile$10.05/hr$1,742$20,900$18,580
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$11.06/hr$1,917$23,000$20,247
75th Percentile$13.41/hr$2,325$27,900$24,135
90th Percentile$16.01/hr$2,775$33,300$28,324

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Lake Charles, LA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$23,000 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 Ratio34.5%of area median income

Compare food preparation workers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Louisiana:

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Food Preparation Workers pay in other Louisiana metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Lake Charles, LA. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Lake Charles, LA

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Lake Charles, LA?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Lake Charles, LA is $23,000, which equates to approximately $1,917 per month or $11.06 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Lake Charles, LA?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Lake Charles, LA is $11.06 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $8.41/hour and one in ten earned more than $16.01/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Lake Charles, LA?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Lake Charles, LA span from $17,500 at the 10th percentile to $20,900 at the 25th, $27,900 at the 75th, and $33,300 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Lake Charles, LA?

On a median gross salary of $23,000, an estimated $20,247 lands in net take-home pay per year ($779 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Louisiana in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $2,753 (an effective rate of 12%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Lake Charles, LA?

On the median annual salary of $23,000, gross monthly income is $1,917. After federal, FICA, and Louisiana state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $1,687 per month (or $779 every two weeks).

Is $23,000 a good salary in Lake Charles, LA?

At $23,000, the median salary for food preparation workers is 34.5% 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.