How much does a cook make in Portland?
$46,560a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area. That is $22.38 an hour or $3,880 a month.
- Hourly
- $22.38
- Vs. national median
- +25%
- Rank among cities
- 6 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 2,730
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $38,570Median: $46,560Highest 10%: $54,830
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,570 | $18.54 | |
| 25th | $42,450 | $20.41 | |
| Median | $46,560 | $22.38 | |
| 75th | $48,660 | $23.39 | |
| 90th | $54,830 | $26.36 |
Other cities in Maine
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Lewiston, ME | $44,510 |
| Bangor, ME | $40,760 |
Related jobs in Portland
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $57,380 |
| Bartender | $54,170 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $49,880 |
| Cook | $47,000 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $44,070 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $39,170 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $37,260 |
| Food Server | $37,200 |
| Host and Hostess | $37,100 |
| Cook | $36,470 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Portland?
The median hourly pay in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area is $22.38 ($46,560 a year).
Do cooks make more in Portland than the national average?
Yes: $46,560 against $37,390 nationally, 25% more.
How does Portland compare with the rest of Maine?
The median in Maine is $45,290, so Portland pays 3% more.
Where does Portland rank for cook pay?
6 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Portland?
The lowest-paid 10% make $38,570 or less a year; the top 10% make $54,830 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.