How much does a cook make?
$47,940a year
Median yearly pay in the United States: half earn more and half earn less. That is $23.05 an hour or $3,995 a month.
- Hourly
- $23.05
- Average (mean)
- $53,680
- Jobs
- 1,100
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $36,090Median: $47,940Highest 10%: $91,130
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,090 | $17.35 | |
| 25th | $40,630 | $19.53 | |
| Median | $47,940 | $23.05 | |
| 75th | $55,450 | $26.66 | |
| 90th | $91,130 | $43.81 |
By state
Median yearly pay.
| New York | $37,440 |
Highest paying cities
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
In other countries
Cook belongs to the international group "Cooks".
Compare pay in 140 countriesSimilar jobs
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour?
The median hourly pay is $23.05 ($47,940 a year).
How much does a cook make a month?
About $3,995 a month before tax, based on a median of $47,940 a year.
How much does a cook make starting out?
The lowest-paid 10% make $36,090 or less a year ($17.35 an hour); the top 10% make $91,130 or more.
Which state pays cooks the most?
New York, with a median of $37,440 a year, followed by .
How many cooks are there in the United States?
About 1,100 people work as cooks.
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.