How much does a cook make in Portland?
$47,000a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area. That is $22.60 an hour or $3,917 a month.
- Hourly
- $22.60
- Vs. national median
- +26%
- Rank among cities
- 23 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 600
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $38,020Median: $47,000Highest 10%: $52,830
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,020 | $18.28 | |
| 25th | $40,810 | $19.62 | |
| Median | $47,000 | $22.60 | |
| 75th | $48,580 | $23.36 | |
| 90th | $52,830 | $25.40 |
Other cities in Maine
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Lewiston, ME | $43,730 |
| Bangor, ME | $42,700 |
Related jobs in Portland
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $57,380 |
| Bartender | $54,170 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $49,880 |
| Cook | $46,560 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $44,070 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $39,170 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $37,260 |
| Food Server | $37,200 |
| Host and Hostess | $37,100 |
| Cook | $36,470 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Portland?
The median hourly pay in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area is $22.60 ($47,000 a year).
Do cooks make more in Portland than the national average?
Yes: $47,000 against $37,450 nationally, 26% more.
How does Portland compare with the rest of Maine?
The median in Maine is $43,490, so Portland pays 8% more.
Where does Portland rank for cook pay?
23 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Portland?
The lowest-paid 10% make $38,020 or less a year; the top 10% make $52,830 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.