Cook, Short Order Salary in Louisiana (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Cooks, Short Order in Louisiana, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Louisiana Median
$26,260
per year
Hourly Rate
$12.63
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-27% vs US median
US median $35,880
State Rank
#45 of 49
1,990 employed here

How much does a Cook, Short Order make in Louisiana?

Cooks, Short Order in Louisiana take home a median of $26,260 annually — roughly $12.63 an hour — which runs 27% below the national median of $35,880.

Within Louisiana, entry-level pay starts around $19,690 while the top 10% make $40,530 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $20,990 and $35,420 a year.

Cook, Short Order salary range in Louisiana

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$19,690$9.47
25th percentile (early career)$20,990$10.09
50th percentile (median)$26,260$12.63
75th percentile (experienced)$35,420$17.03
90th percentile (top earners)$40,530$19.49

How Louisiana compares

Louisiana ranks 45th out of 49 states and territories for Cook, Short Order pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Arizona$46,630
2Rhode Island$46,250
3Massachusetts$44,290
4Hawaii$43,110
5California$42,930

Working as a Cook, Short Order in Louisiana

Nationally, about 139,000 people work as Cooks, Short Order in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Louisiana pay ($26,260) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Cook, Short Order make in Louisiana?
The median Cook, Short Order salary in Louisiana is $26,260 per year, or about $12.63 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $19,690 at the entry level to $40,530 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Louisiana pay compare to the national average?
Louisiana pays Cooks, Short Order about 27% less than the national median of $35,880. Louisiana ranks 45th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Louisiana a good state for Cooks, Short Order?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $26,260 a year. About 1,990 Cooks, Short Order are employed in Louisiana. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Louisiana?
The highest-paying occupations in Louisiana include Pediatrician, General ($502,720), Anesthesiologist ($410,500), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($404,550), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Cook, Short Order salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.