How much does a cook make in Rochester?
$38,150a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Rochester, MN metro area. That is $18.34 an hour or $3,179 a month.
- Hourly
- $18.34
- Vs. national median
- +2%
- Rank among cities
- 89 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 1,060
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $30,680Median: $38,150Highest 10%: $46,100
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $30,680 | $14.75 | |
| 25th | $36,480 | $17.54 | |
| Median | $38,150 | $18.34 | |
| 75th | $44,030 | $21.17 | |
| 90th | $46,100 | $22.16 |
Other cities in Minnesota
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Minneapolis, MN | $39,640 |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $37,310 |
| Mankato, MN | $37,190 |
| Fargo, ND | $37,020 |
| Grand Forks, ND | $36,800 |
| Duluth, MN | $36,680 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $36,270 |
| La Crosse, WI | $36,260 |
Related jobs in Rochester
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $62,520 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $44,620 |
| Cook | $43,160 |
| Food Server | $35,630 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,470 |
| Cook | $33,090 |
| Dishwasher | $32,790 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $31,190 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $29,120 |
| Host and Hostess | $28,270 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Rochester?
The median hourly pay in the Rochester, MN metro area is $18.34 ($38,150 a year).
Do cooks make more in Rochester than the national average?
Yes: $38,150 against $37,390 nationally, 2% more.
How does Rochester compare with the rest of Minnesota?
The median in Minnesota is $38,590, so Rochester pays 1% less.
Where does Rochester rank for cook pay?
89 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Rochester?
The lowest-paid 10% make $30,680 or less a year; the top 10% make $46,100 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.