How much does a cook make in Reading?
$36,020a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Reading, PA metro area. That is $17.32 an hour or $3,002 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.32
- Vs. national median
- -4%
- Rank among cities
- 197 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 1,420
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $22,760Median: $36,020Highest 10%: $44,820
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,760 | $10.94 | |
| 25th | $29,000 | $13.94 | |
| Median | $36,020 | $17.32 | |
| 75th | $38,130 | $18.33 | |
| 90th | $44,820 | $21.55 |
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 |
| 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 Reading
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $66,980 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $39,800 |
| Cook | $36,590 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $31,580 |
| Food Server | $30,810 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $30,760 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $28,910 |
| Bartender | $28,260 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $28,190 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $28,090 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Reading?
The median hourly pay in the Reading, PA metro area is $17.32 ($36,020 a year).
Do cooks make more in Reading than the national average?
No: $36,020 against $37,390 nationally, 4% less.
How does Reading compare with the rest of Pennsylvania?
The median in Pennsylvania is $36,580, so Reading pays 2% less.
Where does Reading rank for cook pay?
197 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Reading?
The lowest-paid 10% make $22,760 or less a year; the top 10% make $44,820 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.