How much does a cook make in the United States?
This is the median gross salary: half earn more and half earn less. That is $3,247 a month.
- Approx. take-home per month
- $2,787
- Compared with the median pay in the United States
- 0.7 times
- Data from
- 2025
Where the United States ranks among 144 countries
Each line is a country, on a log scale from $100 to $100,000 a year.
In other countries
Median gross salary a year, in dollars.
| 1. Switzerland estimate | $59,340 |
| 2. Iceland estimate | $59,110 |
| 3. Belgium estimate | $53,390 |
| 7. Germany | $40,180 |
| 8. United States | $38,970 |
| 9. Ireland estimate | $35,740 |
| 144. Nigeria estimate | $323 |
Similar jobs
Service and sales workers
- Flight attendant$61,170
- Rail conductor$37,720
- Guide$48,580
- Waiter$35,240
- Bartender$34,340
- Hairdresser$37,450
- Beautician$38,440
- Household manager$49,100
By state
Median gross salary a year.
| Washington | $50,990 |
| District of Columbia | $47,790 |
| Hawaii | $46,750 |
| Vermont | $46,160 |
| Massachusetts | $46,120 |
| California | $45,610 |
| Connecticut | $45,230 |
| Colorado | $45,130 |
| Maine | $44,930 |
| Oregon | $44,490 |
See all 51 states
| New York | $44,360 |
| Alaska | $44,240 |
| New Jersey | $43,460 |
| Delaware | $42,680 |
| New Hampshire | $42,000 |
| Minnesota | $41,670 |
| Rhode Island | $41,010 |
| Nevada | $40,460 |
| Maryland | $40,010 |
| Montana | $39,850 |
| Virginia | $39,810 |
| Arizona | $39,700 |
| Florida | $39,660 |
| North Dakota | $39,630 |
| North Carolina | $39,010 |
| Indiana | $38,250 |
| Illinois | $38,200 |
| Pennsylvania | $38,020 |
| Utah | $37,850 |
| Tennessee | $37,720 |
| Wisconsin | $37,700 |
| Michigan | $37,250 |
| Nebraska | $37,170 |
| Idaho | $36,980 |
| South Dakota | $36,930 |
| New Mexico | $36,890 |
| Wyoming | $36,850 |
| Georgia | $36,770 |
| Missouri | $36,670 |
| Iowa | $36,630 |
| South Carolina | $36,550 |
| Ohio | $36,190 |
| Texas | $35,320 |
| Kansas | $35,240 |
| Kentucky | $34,260 |
| Alabama | $33,310 |
| Oklahoma | $32,690 |
| Arkansas | $31,580 |
| Mississippi | $31,470 |
| Louisiana | $31,230 |
| West Virginia | $30,800 |
Jobs in this group in the United States
Official name of each one and its median salary a year.
| Cook | $37,390 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $44,080 |
| Cook | $37,450 |
| Cook | $35,880 |
| Cook | $37,690 |
| Cook | $47,940 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make a month in the United States?
The median gross salary is $3,247 a month, $38,970 a year.
How much does a cook make starting out and with experience?
The lowest-paid 10%, usually people starting out, make around $28,810 a year; the top 10%, with experience or senior roles, make more than $52,440.
Which country pays a cook the most?
Germany, with a median of $40,180 a year before tax, according to our data.
Which state pays a cook the most?
Washington, with a median of $50,990 a year.
Does a cook make more in the United States or in Germany?
In Germany: $40,180 a year against $38,970 in the United States, 1.0 times more.
Who makes more, a cook or a flight attendant?
A flight attendant: $61,170 a year against $38,970 for a cook, 1.6 times more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS survey, 2025. How we calculate