How much does a cook make in Lancaster?
$36,500a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Lancaster, PA metro area. That is $17.55 an hour or $3,042 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.55
- Vs. national median
- -2%
- Rank among cities
- 165 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 2,230
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $23,290Median: $36,500Highest 10%: $44,890
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,290 | $11.20 | |
| 25th | $29,630 | $14.25 | |
| Median | $36,500 | $17.55 | |
| 75th | $38,580 | $18.55 | |
| 90th | $44,890 | $21.58 |
Other cities in Pennsylvania
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Philadelphia, PA | $38,270 |
| Allentown, PA | $37,120 |
| Harrisburg, PA | $36,520 |
| 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 |
| Altoona, PA | $34,210 |
| Erie, PA | $33,550 |
| Williamsport, PA | $32,340 |
| Johnstown, PA | $30,040 |
Related jobs in Lancaster
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $58,040 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $43,250 |
| Cook | $37,040 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $32,190 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $31,580 |
| Food Server | $30,660 |
| Cook | $29,580 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $29,520 |
| Dishwasher | $29,140 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $28,580 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Lancaster?
The median hourly pay in the Lancaster, PA metro area is $17.55 ($36,500 a year).
Do cooks make more in Lancaster than the national average?
No: $36,500 against $37,390 nationally, 2% less.
How does Lancaster compare with the rest of Pennsylvania?
The median in Pennsylvania is $36,580, so Lancaster pays 0% more.
Where does Lancaster rank for cook pay?
165 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Lancaster?
The lowest-paid 10% make $23,290 or less a year; the top 10% make $44,890 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.