How much does a cook make in Pittsburgh?
$36,130a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area. That is $17.37 an hour or $3,011 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.37
- Vs. national median
- -3%
- Rank among cities
- 190 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 13,260
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $21,930Median: $36,130Highest 10%: $43,650
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $21,930 | $10.54 | |
| 25th | $29,230 | $14.05 | |
| Median | $36,130 | $17.37 | |
| 75th | $37,440 | $18.00 | |
| 90th | $43,650 | $20.99 |
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 |
| 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 Pittsburgh
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $66,320 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $40,530 |
| Cook | $36,100 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $35,470 |
| Food Server | $34,630 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $32,290 |
| Host and Hostess | $30,260 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $30,120 |
| Dishwasher | $30,000 |
| Bartender | $29,750 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Pittsburgh?
The median hourly pay in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area is $17.37 ($36,130 a year).
Do cooks make more in Pittsburgh than the national average?
No: $36,130 against $37,390 nationally, 3% less.
How does Pittsburgh compare with the rest of Pennsylvania?
The median in Pennsylvania is $36,580, so Pittsburgh pays 1% less.
Where does Pittsburgh rank for cook pay?
190 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Pittsburgh?
The lowest-paid 10% make $21,930 or less a year; the top 10% make $43,650 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.