How much does a cook make in Lancaster?
$37,040a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Lancaster, PA metro area. That is $17.81 an hour or $3,087 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.81
- Vs. national median
- -1%
- Rank among cities
- 179 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 1,020
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $29,800Median: $37,040Highest 10%: $46,270
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29,800 | $14.33 | |
| 25th | $31,690 | $15.24 | |
| Median | $37,040 | $17.81 | |
| 75th | $43,620 | $20.97 | |
| 90th | $46,270 | $22.25 |
Other cities in Pennsylvania
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Philadelphia, PA | $38,870 |
| Allentown, PA | $38,570 |
| State College, PA | $37,100 |
| Harrisburg, PA | $36,880 |
| Reading, PA | $36,590 |
| Lebanon, PA | $36,230 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $36,100 |
| York, PA | $36,030 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $35,770 |
| Williamsport, PA | $35,720 |
| Erie, PA | $35,620 |
| Scranton, PA | $35,320 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $34,910 |
| Altoona, PA | $34,610 |
| Johnstown, PA | $30,450 |
Related jobs in Lancaster
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $58,040 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $43,250 |
| Cook | $36,500 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $32,190 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $31,580 |
| Food Server | $30,660 |
| Cook | $29,580 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $29,520 |
| Dishwasher | $29,140 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $28,580 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Lancaster?
The median hourly pay in the Lancaster, PA metro area is $17.81 ($37,040 a year).
Do cooks make more in Lancaster than the national average?
No: $37,040 against $37,450 nationally, 1% less.
How does Lancaster compare with the rest of Pennsylvania?
The median in Pennsylvania is $36,540, so Lancaster pays 1% more.
Where does Lancaster rank for cook pay?
179 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Lancaster?
The lowest-paid 10% make $29,800 or less a year; the top 10% make $46,270 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.