Cooks, Restaurant Salary (2025)
Based on 1,409,890 employed workers · BLS OEWS May 2025
Salary Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
10th Percentile Bottom 10% | $28,700 |
25th Percentile Lower quarter | $34,010 |
50th PercentileMedian Median | $37,390 |
75th Percentile Upper quarter | $44,620 |
90th Percentile Top 10% | $47,900 |
Salary Distribution
Annual Salary Range
10th
$29K
25th
$34K
Median
$37K
75th
$45K
90th
$48K
Highest Paying States for Cooks, Restaurant
States with highest average wages · BLS May 2025
| State | Annual Mean |
|---|---|
| Washington | $47,200 |
| Hawaii | $47,080 |
| District of Columbia | $45,570 |
| Massachusetts | $45,450 |
| Maine | $45,240 |
| California | $45,020 |
| Oregon | $44,130 |
| Vermont | $43,680 |
| New York | $43,150 |
| Colorado | $42,360 |
Geographic Salary Variation
Cooks, Restaurant salaries vary significantly across the United States. The highest paying state is Washington at an average of $47,200 per year, while Colorado has an average of $42,360 — a difference of $4,840. These geographic differences reflect variations in cost of living, demand, and local labor market conditions.
Highest Paying Metro Areas
Top cities by average annual wage
About Cooks, Restaurant
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1,409,890 workers were employed as Cooks, Restaurants in the United States as of May 2025. This occupation is classified under Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations. The annual mean wage of $38,730 reflects data from employer surveys conducted by BLS.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 · SOC Code: 35-2014