SalaryNode

Average Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Baton Rouge, LA

Cooks in fast-food establishments in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, earn an average annual salary of $22,120. This figure falls notably below the national average of $31,130. Local economic factors and a lower concentration of these roles contribute to this pay disparity.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $22,120 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 12.3% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $23,730.
  • Outlook: With a local workforce of 530 Cooks, Fast Food, and a Location Quotient of 0.3, the job market in Baton Rouge indicates a below-average concentration of these roles compared to the national landscape. While the absolute number suggests a presence, the low LQ points to less industry-specific demand relative to other occupations in the area.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$22,120

The average Cooks, Fast Food in Baton Rouge, LA earns-28.9%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$10.6

Weekly

$425

Monthly

$1,843

Cooks, Fast Food Salary Distribution in Baton Rouge, LA

Salary progression for Cooks, Fast Food in Baton Rouge typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions may start closer to minimum wage, while experienced cooks with supervisory skills or specialized knowledge can command higher pay. The percentile gaps between the lower and upper ends of the salary spectrum signify opportunities for career advancement within the fast-food industry.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$19,610$9.4
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$16,590$8
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$22,090$10.6
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$27,650$13.3
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$23,730$11.4

Detailed Cooks, Fast Food Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$22,120

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$22,120

Adjusted for COL (100)

The nominal average annual salary of $22,120 in Baton Rouge aligns precisely with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that while the take-home pay is lower than the national average for this role, the purchasing power of that salary within Baton Rouge is comparable to the national average, suggesting that everyday expenses are neither significantly cheaper nor more expensive.

Job Market Context

530

Total Jobs

1.308

Per 1K Jobs

0.3

Location Quotient

Low Concentration

At 0.30x, Baton Rouge, LA has a notably lower concentration of Cooks, Fast Food jobs than the national average. Opportunities in this area are relatively scarce for this profession.

A Location Quotient of 0.3 for Cooks, Fast Food in Baton Rouge signifies that this occupation is less concentrated in the local labor market than it is nationally. This suggests that the job market for these roles may be less competitive in terms of sheer volume of available positions relative to the overall workforce, but also indicates a lower demand for this specific skill set compared to the national average.

Nearby Job Markets

Hiring Cooks, Fast Foods?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Fast Food make in Baton Rouge, LA?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Fast Food in Baton Rouge, LA is $22,120. This typically ranges from $19,610 for entry-level positions to $23,730 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Baton Rouge, LA is 28.9% lower than the national median of $31,130.

Is Baton Rouge, LA a lucrative place for Cooks, Fast Foods?

No, Baton Rouge, LA is not a particularly lucrative place for Cooks, Fast Foods.The average annual salary of $22,120 is significantly lower than the national average of $31,130, and the job market concentration is below the national norm.

Is Baton Rouge, LA a good place to live for Cooks, Fast Foods?

The Cost of Living Index in Baton Rouge, LA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

How does Baton Rouge's cost of living compare to the national average for fast food cooks?

Baton Rouge's cost of living is at the national average (100), meaning that while the salary for fast food cooks is lower than the national average, the expenses for daily living are comparable.

What is the concentration of fast food cooks in Baton Rouge?

The concentration, measured by the Location Quotient, is 0.3, indicating that fast food cooks are less prevalent in Baton Rouge's workforce compared to the national average.

How many fast food cooks are there in Baton Rouge?

There are approximately 530 Cooks, Fast Food employed in the Baton Rouge area.

What is the national average salary for Cooks, Fast Food?

The national average annual salary for Cooks, Fast Food is $31,130.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 530 employees in the Baton Rouge, LA area with a job density of 1.308 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.