salary$30,520 a year$15 an hour · median pay in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$23,000per year
Top pay (top 10%)$43,860per year
Jobs in the area4,720people work this job
Can a restaurant cook afford New Orleans?
Expensive. Rent of $1,508 a month takes 59.3% of the median restaurant cook salary. That is over the 30% rule, so many people in this job share housing or need a second income.
Restaurant Cook pay in similar cities
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a restaurant cook make in New Orleans, LA?
The median pay for a restaurant cook in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA area is $30,520 a year ($15 an hour). Most earn between $23,000 and $43,860.
Can a restaurant cook afford to live in New Orleans?
Typical rent of $1,508 a month takes 59.3% of the median restaurant cook salary, which we rate Expensive.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area.