How much does a cook make in Buffalo?
$41,860a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area. That is $20.13 an hour or $3,488 a month.
- Hourly
- $20.13
- Vs. national median
- +12%
- Rank among cities
- 78 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 1,110
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $35,470Median: $41,860Highest 10%: $52,160
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,470 | $17.05 | |
| 25th | $37,890 | $18.22 | |
| Median | $41,860 | $20.13 | |
| 75th | $46,920 | $22.56 | |
| 90th | $52,160 | $25.08 |
Other cities in New York
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Ithaca, NY | $46,870 |
| New York, NY | $46,870 |
| Kiryas Joel, NY | $45,740 |
| Kingston, NY | $44,650 |
| Albany, NY | $43,550 |
| Utica, NY | $41,660 |
| Binghamton, NY | $40,510 |
| Syracuse, NY | $40,450 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $40,190 |
| Rochester, NY | $38,670 |
| Watertown, NY | $37,830 |
| Elmira, NY | $36,990 |
Related jobs in Buffalo
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $74,290 |
| Bartender | $46,920 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $46,580 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $44,720 |
| Cook | $38,580 |
| Cook | $38,060 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $35,140 |
| Dishwasher | $35,080 |
| Cook | $34,730 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,700 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Buffalo?
The median hourly pay in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $20.13 ($41,860 a year).
Do cooks make more in Buffalo than the national average?
Yes: $41,860 against $37,450 nationally, 12% more.
How does Buffalo compare with the rest of New York?
The median in New York is $45,880, so Buffalo pays 9% less.
Where does Buffalo rank for cook pay?
78 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Buffalo?
The lowest-paid 10% make $35,470 or less a year; the top 10% make $52,160 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.