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Baton Rouge, LA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Restaurant Cook Salary in Baton Rouge, LA

In the Baton Rouge, LA metropolitan area, restaurant cooks earned a median annual wage of $29,900 ($14.38/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $22,600/year and the 90th was $40,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Louisiana tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $25,694 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 90.8 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$29,900$14.38 per hour · $2,492 monthly
10th Percentile$22,600$10.87/hr base
25th Percentile$26,600$12.79/hr base
75th Percentile$37,000$17.79/hr base
90th Percentile$40,700$19.57/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 $30,000 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$14 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $30,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $30,000 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

$29,900
$15,000$60,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$29,900
Net 86%
Fed 5%
LA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$25,694After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,141Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$988Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,408 / yr
Louisiana state income tax$511 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,287 / yr
Customize deductions in full Louisiana calculator

Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Baton Rouge, 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 Cooks, Restaurant in the Baton Rouge, LA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (LA)
10th Percentile$10.87/hr$1,883$22,600$19,929
25th Percentile$12.79/hr$2,217$26,600$23,103
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$14.38/hr$2,492$29,900$25,694
75th Percentile$17.79/hr$3,083$37,000$31,186
90th Percentile$19.57/hr$3,392$40,700$34,048

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Baton Rouge, LA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$29,900 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$69,599Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index90.89.2% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio43%of area median income

Compare restaurant cooks salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Louisiana:

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Cooks, Restaurant pay in other Louisiana metros

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Baton Rouge, LA

What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Baton Rouge, LA?

The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Baton Rouge, LA is $29,900, which equates to approximately $2,492 per month or $14.38 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Baton Rouge, LA?

The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Baton Rouge, LA is $14.38 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $10.87/hour and one in ten earned more than $19.57/hour.

What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Baton Rouge, LA?

BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Baton Rouge, LA span from $22,600 at the 10th percentile to $26,600 at the 25th, $37,000 at the 75th, and $40,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Baton Rouge, LA?

On a median gross salary of $29,900, an estimated $25,694 lands in net take-home pay per year ($988 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Louisiana in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,206 (an effective rate of 14.1%).

How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Baton Rouge, LA?

On the median annual salary of $29,900, gross monthly income is $2,492. After federal, FICA, and Louisiana state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,141 per month (or $988 every two weeks).

Is $29,900 a good salary in Baton Rouge, LA?

At $29,900, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 43% of the Baton Rouge, LA median household income ($69,599). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 90.8, making regional consumer goods and services 9.2% cheaper than the U.S. average.