How much does a cook make in Rochester?
$38,670a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Rochester, NY metro area. That is $18.59 an hour or $3,223 a month.
- Hourly
- $18.59
- Vs. national median
- +3%
- Rank among cities
- 115 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 1,620
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $35,150Median: $38,670Highest 10%: $48,720
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,150 | $16.90 | |
| 25th | $36,930 | $17.75 | |
| Median | $38,670 | $18.59 | |
| 75th | $45,640 | $21.94 | |
| 90th | $48,720 | $23.42 |
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 |
| Buffalo, NY | $41,860 |
| Utica, NY | $41,660 |
| Binghamton, NY | $40,510 |
| Syracuse, NY | $40,450 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $40,190 |
| Watertown, NY | $37,830 |
| Elmira, NY | $36,990 |
Related jobs in Rochester
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $66,080 |
| Bartender | $45,920 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $45,310 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $43,040 |
| Cook | $38,380 |
| Cook | $36,580 |
| Food Server | $35,780 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $35,310 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,020 |
| Dishwasher | $33,880 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Rochester?
The median hourly pay in the Rochester, NY metro area is $18.59 ($38,670 a year).
Do cooks make more in Rochester than the national average?
Yes: $38,670 against $37,450 nationally, 3% more.
How does Rochester compare with the rest of New York?
The median in New York is $45,880, so Rochester pays 16% less.
Where does Rochester rank for cook pay?
115 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Rochester?
The lowest-paid 10% make $35,150 or less a year; the top 10% make $48,720 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.