How much does a cook make in Salem?
$39,170a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Salem, OR metro area. That is $18.83 an hour or $3,264 a month.
- Hourly
- $18.83
- Vs. national median
- +5%
- Rank among cities
- 58 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 1,610
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $31,510Median: $39,170Highest 10%: $49,720
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,510 | $15.15 | |
| 25th | $37,200 | $17.88 | |
| Median | $39,170 | $18.83 | |
| 75th | $45,510 | $21.88 | |
| 90th | $49,720 | $23.90 |
Other cities in Oregon
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Portland, OR | $45,200 |
| Bend, OR | $44,540 |
| Grants Pass, OR | $39,110 |
| Albany, OR | $38,780 |
| Medford, OR | $38,430 |
| Corvallis, OR | $38,380 |
| Eugene, OR | $37,960 |
Related jobs in Salem
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $63,750 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $48,720 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $45,660 |
| Cook | $44,690 |
| Bartender | $38,410 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $37,300 |
| Host and Hostess | $36,780 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $35,250 |
| Dishwasher | $35,070 |
| Cook | $34,910 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Salem?
The median hourly pay in the Salem, OR metro area is $18.83 ($39,170 a year).
Do cooks make more in Salem than the national average?
Yes: $39,170 against $37,390 nationally, 5% more.
How does Salem compare with the rest of Oregon?
The median in Oregon is $43,100, so Salem pays 9% less.
Where does Salem rank for cook pay?
58 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Salem?
The lowest-paid 10% make $31,510 or less a year; the top 10% make $49,720 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.