How much does a cook make in Altoona?
$34,210a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Altoona, PA metro area. That is $16.45 an hour or $2,851 a month.
- Hourly
- $16.45
- Vs. national median
- -9%
- Rank among cities
- 293 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 530
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $21,930Median: $34,210Highest 10%: $38,920
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $21,930 | $10.54 | |
| 25th | $28,880 | $13.88 | |
| Median | $34,210 | $16.45 | |
| 75th | $36,020 | $17.32 | |
| 90th | $38,920 | $18.71 |
Other cities in Pennsylvania
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Philadelphia, PA | $38,270 |
| Allentown, PA | $37,120 |
| Harrisburg, PA | $36,520 |
| Lancaster, PA | $36,500 |
| York, PA | $36,310 |
| Lebanon, PA | $36,250 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $36,130 |
| Reading, PA | $36,020 |
| State College, PA | $35,990 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $35,350 |
| Scranton, PA | $34,870 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $34,620 |
| Erie, PA | $33,550 |
| Williamsport, PA | $32,340 |
| Johnstown, PA | $30,040 |
Related jobs in Altoona
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $49,040 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $36,090 |
| Cook | $34,610 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $30,300 |
| Food Server | $27,860 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $27,630 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $27,160 |
| Host and Hostess | $26,980 |
| Dishwasher | $26,960 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $26,090 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Altoona?
The median hourly pay in the Altoona, PA metro area is $16.45 ($34,210 a year).
Do cooks make more in Altoona than the national average?
No: $34,210 against $37,390 nationally, 9% less.
How does Altoona compare with the rest of Pennsylvania?
The median in Pennsylvania is $36,580, so Altoona pays 6% less.
Where does Altoona rank for cook pay?
293 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Altoona?
The lowest-paid 10% make $21,930 or less a year; the top 10% make $38,920 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.