How much does a cook make in State College?
$35,990a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the State College, PA metro area. That is $17.30 an hour or $2,999 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.30
- Vs. national median
- -4%
- Rank among cities
- 200 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 730
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $23,860Median: $35,990Highest 10%: $44,510
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,860 | $11.47 | |
| 25th | $30,330 | $14.58 | |
| Median | $35,990 | $17.30 | |
| 75th | $38,400 | $18.46 | |
| 90th | $44,510 | $21.40 |
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 |
| Reading, PA | $36,020 |
| 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 State College
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $58,560 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $42,500 |
| Cook | $37,100 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $35,280 |
| Food Server | $33,540 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $31,210 |
| Cook | $29,020 |
| Dishwasher | $28,950 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $28,720 |
| Bartender | $28,100 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in State College?
The median hourly pay in the State College, PA metro area is $17.30 ($35,990 a year).
Do cooks make more in State College than the national average?
No: $35,990 against $37,390 nationally, 4% less.
How does State College compare with the rest of Pennsylvania?
The median in Pennsylvania is $36,580, so State College pays 2% less.
Where does State College rank for cook pay?
200 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in State College?
The lowest-paid 10% make $23,860 or less a year; the top 10% make $44,510 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.