Chef Salary in Louisiana (2026)
$21.91 per hour · take-home ≈ $37,803/year ($3,150/month) for a single filer
Louisiana ranks last (51st of 51) for Chef pay, with a median about 28% below the national average. Of the 1,990 Chef jobs BLS counts in Louisiana, the typical worker earns $45,570 a year — though pay ranges from $32,320 for newcomers to $86,750 at the top.
Chef pay range in Louisiana
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $32,320 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $39,650 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $45,570 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $59,020 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $86,750 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 1,990 Chef jobs in Louisiana (occupation code 35-1011, “Chefs and Head Cooks”).
Gross vs. take-home in Louisiana
A median Chef salary of $45,570 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus Louisiana state income tax, a single filer keeps about $37,803 — an effective tax rate of 17.0%.
| Gross (median) | $45,570 |
| Federal income tax | −$3,288 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$3,486 |
| Louisiana state income tax | −$992 |
| Take-home (annual) | $37,803 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $3,150 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Louisiana paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Chef make in Louisiana?
- The median Chef salary in Louisiana is $45,570 per year ($21.91 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $39,650 and $59,020.
- What is the take-home pay for a Chef in Louisiana?
- On the median salary of $45,570, a single filer in Louisiana takes home about $37,803 per year ($3,150 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 17.0%.
- How many Chef jobs are there in Louisiana?
- BLS counts 1,990 Chef jobs in Louisiana in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Chefs
Other salaries in Louisiana
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified Louisiana state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for Louisiana.