How much does a cook make in Baltimore?
$39,310a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area. That is $18.90 an hour or $3,276 a month.
- Hourly
- $18.90
- Vs. national median
- +5%
- Rank among cities
- 102 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 1,660
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $35,630Median: $39,310Highest 10%: $48,340
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,630 | $17.13 | |
| 25th | $36,960 | $17.77 | |
| Median | $39,310 | $18.90 | |
| 75th | $45,450 | $21.85 | |
| 90th | $48,340 | $23.24 |
Other cities in Maryland
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Washington, DC | $44,880 |
| Salisbury, MD | $44,430 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $40,420 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $38,870 |
| Hagerstown, MD | $34,570 |
Related jobs in Baltimore
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $59,290 |
| Cook | $39,960 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $38,760 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $37,540 |
| Cook | $37,420 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $37,390 |
| Bartender | $37,360 |
| Cook | $36,460 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $36,170 |
| Food Server | $35,710 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Baltimore?
The median hourly pay in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area is $18.90 ($39,310 a year).
Do cooks make more in Baltimore than the national average?
Yes: $39,310 against $37,450 nationally, 5% more.
How does Baltimore compare with the rest of Maryland?
The median in Maryland is $41,380, so Baltimore pays 5% less.
Where does Baltimore rank for cook pay?
102 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Baltimore?
The lowest-paid 10% make $35,630 or less a year; the top 10% make $48,340 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.