How much does a cook make in Salem?
$44,690a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Salem, OR metro area. That is $21.49 an hour or $3,724 a month.
- Hourly
- $21.49
- Vs. national median
- +19%
- Rank among cities
- 51 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 720
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $35,970Median: $44,690Highest 10%: $61,020
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,970 | $17.29 | |
| 25th | $38,580 | $18.55 | |
| Median | $44,690 | $21.49 | |
| 75th | $51,350 | $24.69 | |
| 90th | $61,020 | $29.34 |
Other cities in Oregon
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Portland, OR | $45,800 |
| Bend, OR | $45,350 |
| Grants Pass, OR | $44,140 |
| Eugene, OR | $43,820 |
| Medford, OR | $42,450 |
| Albany, OR | $40,000 |
| Corvallis, OR | $38,950 |
Related jobs in Salem
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $63,750 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $48,720 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $45,660 |
| Cook | $39,170 |
| Bartender | $38,410 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $37,300 |
| Host and Hostess | $36,780 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $35,250 |
| Dishwasher | $35,070 |
| Cook | $34,910 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Salem?
The median hourly pay in the Salem, OR metro area is $21.49 ($44,690 a year).
Do cooks make more in Salem than the national average?
Yes: $44,690 against $37,450 nationally, 19% more.
How does Salem compare with the rest of Oregon?
The median in Oregon is $44,520, so Salem pays 0% more.
Where does Salem rank for cook pay?
51 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Salem?
The lowest-paid 10% make $35,970 or less a year; the top 10% make $61,020 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.