How much does a cook make in Appleton?
$38,110a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Appleton, WI metro area. That is $18.32 an hour or $3,176 a month.
- Hourly
- $18.32
- Vs. national median
- +2%
- Rank among cities
- 136 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 340
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $30,800Median: $38,110Highest 10%: $45,830
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $30,800 | $14.81 | |
| 25th | $36,120 | $17.37 | |
| Median | $38,110 | $18.32 | |
| 75th | $43,460 | $20.89 | |
| 90th | $45,830 | $22.03 |
Other cities in Wisconsin
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Minneapolis, MN | $44,830 |
| Madison, WI | $42,960 |
| Duluth, MN | $40,300 |
| La Crosse, WI | $39,050 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $38,980 |
| Racine, WI | $38,880 |
| Green Bay, WI | $38,640 |
| Oshkosh, WI | $38,530 |
| Janesville, WI | $38,440 |
| Wausau, WI | $38,170 |
| Kenosha, WI | $38,150 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $37,990 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $37,470 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $37,200 |
Related jobs in Appleton
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $62,200 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $38,500 |
| Cook | $36,520 |
| Food Server | $34,280 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,060 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $30,370 |
| Dishwasher | $29,370 |
| Cook | $29,050 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $29,010 |
| Host and Hostess | $27,870 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Appleton?
The median hourly pay in the Appleton, WI metro area is $18.32 ($38,110 a year).
Do cooks make more in Appleton than the national average?
Yes: $38,110 against $37,450 nationally, 2% more.
How does Appleton compare with the rest of Wisconsin?
The median in Wisconsin is $38,650, so Appleton pays 1% less.
Where does Appleton rank for cook pay?
136 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Appleton?
The lowest-paid 10% make $30,800 or less a year; the top 10% make $45,830 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.