Food Preparation Workers salary
in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
- Middle 50%
- $22,120–$29,990
- vs U.S. median
- -26%
- Metro rank
- #453 of 496
Food Preparation Workers in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro earn a median of $26,200 a year, based on BLS estimates for 7,250 jobs (May 2025). That is 26% below the U.S. median of $35,320 and 11% above the LA statewide median of $23,620. It ranks #453 of 496 metros with published figures for this job.
- SOURCEBLS OEWS, May 2025
- SAMPLE7,250 jobs (estimate)
- SCOPEall employers, all experience levels
- PERIODMay 2025 estimates
Full percentile breakdown
BLS · metro vs U.S.
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Food Preparation Workers pay in other LA metros
8 metros · BLS
| Metro | Median |
|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | $24,450 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $24,380 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $23,380 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $22,980 |
| Lafayette, LA | $22,920 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $22,810 |
| Hammond, LA | $22,740 |
| Monroe, LA | $22,430 |
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RELATED JOBS IN NEW ORLEANS
Questions
What is the average Food Preparation Workers salary in New Orleans?
The BLS median is $26,200 a year (May 2025). Half of the 7,250 jobs pay between $22,120 and $29,990. The 10th percentile is $18,490 and the 90th is $36,210.
Is New Orleans a high-paying metro for Food Preparation Workers?
That is 26% below the U.S. median of $35,320 and 11% above the LA statewide median of $23,620. It ranks #453 of 496 U.S. metros with published BLS figures for this job.
How much do Food Preparation Workers make an hour in New Orleans?
About $12.60 an hour at the median (the BLS annual figure of $26,200 divided by 2,080 hours, the conversion BLS uses). The middle half earn about $10.63–$14.42 an hour. Straight-time pay, before overtime and shift differentials.
Does this include experience levels?
BLS figures cover all experience levels together. Employer filings carry a DOL wage level, which the free checker can filter by (approximate).
Sources: U.S. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (national + state) (metro area estimates, all employers); employer rows from U.S. DOL OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026 Q3 (LCA_Disclosure_Data_FY2026_Q3.xlsx). Base pay only. Estimates can have sampling error, especially for smaller metros.