How much does a cook make in Reading?
$36,590a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Reading, PA metro area. That is $17.59 an hour or $3,049 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.59
- Vs. national median
- -2%
- Rank among cities
- 201 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 810
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $29,900Median: $36,590Highest 10%: $45,010
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29,900 | $14.38 | |
| 25th | $31,290 | $15.04 | |
| Median | $36,590 | $17.59 | |
| 75th | $41,620 | $20.01 | |
| 90th | $45,010 | $21.64 |
Other cities in Pennsylvania
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Philadelphia, PA | $38,870 |
| Allentown, PA | $38,570 |
| State College, PA | $37,100 |
| Lancaster, PA | $37,040 |
| Harrisburg, PA | $36,880 |
| 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 Reading
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $66,980 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $39,800 |
| Cook | $36,020 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $31,580 |
| Food Server | $30,810 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $30,760 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $28,910 |
| Bartender | $28,260 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $28,190 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $28,090 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Reading?
The median hourly pay in the Reading, PA metro area is $17.59 ($36,590 a year).
Do cooks make more in Reading than the national average?
No: $36,590 against $37,450 nationally, 2% less.
How does Reading compare with the rest of Pennsylvania?
The median in Pennsylvania is $36,540, so Reading pays 0% more.
Where does Reading rank for cook pay?
201 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Reading?
The lowest-paid 10% make $29,900 or less a year; the top 10% make $45,010 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.