How much does a cook make in Buffalo?
$38,060a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area. That is $18.30 an hour or $3,172 a month.
- Hourly
- $18.30
- Vs. national median
- +2%
- Rank among cities
- 92 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 3,990
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $34,900Median: $38,060Highest 10%: $46,390
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,900 | $16.78 | |
| 25th | $36,840 | $17.71 | |
| Median | $38,060 | $18.30 | |
| 75th | $44,050 | $21.18 | |
| 90th | $46,390 | $22.30 |
Other cities in New York
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Kiryas Joel, NY | $44,000 |
| New York, NY | $43,740 |
| Kingston, NY | $43,150 |
| Albany, NY | $39,610 |
| Ithaca, NY | $39,280 |
| Syracuse, NY | $38,740 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $38,730 |
| Rochester, NY | $38,380 |
| Utica, NY | $38,150 |
| Binghamton, NY | $37,530 |
| Elmira, NY | $36,970 |
| Watertown, NY | $36,830 |
Related jobs in Buffalo
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $74,290 |
| Bartender | $46,920 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $46,580 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $44,720 |
| Cook | $41,860 |
| Cook | $38,580 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $35,140 |
| Dishwasher | $35,080 |
| Cook | $34,730 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,700 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Buffalo?
The median hourly pay in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $18.30 ($38,060 a year).
Do cooks make more in Buffalo than the national average?
Yes: $38,060 against $37,390 nationally, 2% more.
How does Buffalo compare with the rest of New York?
The median in New York is $43,680, so Buffalo pays 13% less.
Where does Buffalo rank for cook pay?
92 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Buffalo?
The lowest-paid 10% make $34,900 or less a year; the top 10% make $46,390 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.