Food Preparation Worker Salary in Lafayette, LA
Food Preparation Workers in the Lafayette, LA metro area earn a median $22,920 a year — 35% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $20,183 take-home, or $1,682 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median food preparation worker salary in Lafayette, LA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$682
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,421
- Medicare (1.45%)$332
- Louisiana income tax$301
- Take-home pay$20,183
Marginal rate: 10% federal + 3.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Food Preparation Worker pay by experience in Lafayette, LA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $17,380 | $8.36 | $15,787 | $1,316 |
| 25th percentile | $21,140 | $10.16 | $18,771 | $1,564 |
| Median (50th) | $22,920 | $11.02 | $20,183 | $1,682 |
| 75th percentile | $28,420 | $13.66 | $24,548 | $2,046 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $30,840 | $14.83 | $26,421 | $2,202 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Louisiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $22,920 buys in Lafayette, LA
Prices in Lafayette, LA are 12.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 41% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median food preparation worker's $20,183 take-home pay has the buying power of $23,144 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Lafayette, LA has 3.2× the national concentration of food preparation worker jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for food preparation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Lafayette, LA ranks #65 of 65 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $45,580 | $37,398 | $33,868 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $43,830 | $37,397 | $33,651 |
| 3 | Omaha, NE | $36,140 | $30,454 | $33,134 |
| 4 | Columbus, OH | $36,930 | $31,620 | $33,121 |
| 5 | Cleveland, OH | $35,360 | $30,402 | $32,369 |
| 6 | Jacksonville, FL | $36,730 | $31,693 | $31,857 |
| 7 | San Antonio, TX | $34,390 | $29,812 | $31,476 |
| 8 | North Port, FL | $37,320 | $32,167 | $31,408 |
| 65 | Lafayette, LA | $22,920 | $20,183 | $23,144 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 65 metros →
About the job: food preparation workers
Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -3.0% (declining)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Food Preparation Worker salaries elsewhere in Louisiana
- New Orleans, LA — $26,200
- Shreveport, LA — $22,980
- Baton Rouge, LA — $24,450
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make in Lafayette, LA?
The median food preparation worker salary in the Lafayette, LA metro area is $22,920 a year, or about $11.02 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $21,140 and $28,420.
What is a food preparation worker’s take-home pay in Lafayette, LA?
On the median $22,920 salary, a single filer living in Louisiana takes home about $20,183 a year ($1,682 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $301 in Louisiana taxes in 2026.
Is Lafayette, LA a good place to work as a food preparation worker?
Pay here is 35% below the national median of $35,320. Local prices are 12.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $23,144 would in a typical U.S. city. Lafayette, LA ranks #65 of 65 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a food preparation worker afford rent in Lafayette, LA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Lafayette, LA is $847 a month ($974 for two bedrooms) — 50% of a median food preparation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Lafayette, LA
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $22,320
- Waiter and Waitress — $15,080