Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders Salary in Louisiana (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Louisiana, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Louisiana Median
$44,440
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.37
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+7% vs US median
US median $41,590
State Rank
#15 of 41
550 employed here

How much do Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders make in Louisiana?

Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders working in Louisiana earn a median salary of $44,440 per year, or about $21.37 per hour. That is 7% above the national median of $41,590 for this occupation.

Within Louisiana, entry-level pay starts around $18,680 while the top 10% make $61,360 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $31,540 and $61,350 a year.

Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary range in Louisiana

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$18,680$8.98
25th percentile (early career)$31,540$15.16
50th percentile (median)$44,440$21.37
75th percentile (experienced)$61,350$29.50
90th percentile (top earners)$61,360$29.50

How Louisiana compares

Louisiana ranks 15th out of 41 states and territories for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Washington$51,100
2Utah$48,620
3Massachusetts$47,960
4Iowa$47,900
5Michigan$47,260

Working as Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Louisiana

Nationally, about 31,000 people work as Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Louisiana pay ($44,440) 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 do Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders make in Louisiana?
The median Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Louisiana is $44,440 per year, or about $21.37 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $18,680 at the entry level to $61,360 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Louisiana pay compare to the national average?
Louisiana pays Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders about 7% more than the national median of $41,590. Louisiana ranks 15th out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Louisiana a good state for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders?
Yes on pay — Louisiana pays above the national median for this occupation, at $44,440 a year. About 550 Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders are employed in Louisiana. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
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 Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary report

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.