Wage Benchmark Overview
Median Annual Salary
$30,500$14.66 per hour · $2,542 monthlyRun the numbers on your own pay
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Take-Home Pay Explorer
Cooks, Restaurant 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.
| Earning Tier | Hourly Wage | Monthly Gross | Annual Gross | Est. Annual Net (LA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $11.11/hr | $1,925 | $23,100 | $20,326 |
| 25th Percentile | $13.03/hr | $2,258 | $27,100 | $23,500 |
| Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark | $14.66/hr | $2,542 | $30,500 | $26,158 |
| 75th Percentile | $18.13/hr | $3,142 | $37,700 | $31,727 |
| 90th Percentile | $19.95/hr | $3,458 | $41,500 | $34,667 |
Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$30,500 measures up against local economic conditions:
Explore Related Salary & Regional Profiles
Compare restaurant cooks salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Louisiana:
Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in New Orleans-Metairie, LA is $30,500, which equates to approximately $2,542 per month or $14.66 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.
What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in New Orleans-Metairie, LA is $14.66 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $11.11/hour and one in ten earned more than $19.95/hour.
What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in New Orleans-Metairie, LA span from $23,100 at the 10th percentile to $27,100 at the 25th, $37,700 at the 75th, and $41,500 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.
How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
On a median gross salary of $30,500, an estimated $26,158 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,006 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Louisiana in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,342 (an effective rate of 14.2%).
How much do restaurant cooks make per month in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
On the median annual salary of $30,500, gross monthly income is $2,542. After federal, FICA, and Louisiana state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,180 per month (or $1,006 every two weeks).
Is $30,500 a good salary in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
At $30,500, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 48.7% 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.