How much does a cook make in Waterbury?
$38,570a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area. That is $18.54 an hour or $3,214 a month.
- Hourly
- $18.54
- Vs. national median
- +3%
- Rank among cities
- 72 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 1,290
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $34,750Median: $38,570Highest 10%: $48,290
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,750 | $16.71 | |
| 25th | $35,980 | $17.30 | |
| Median | $38,570 | $18.54 | |
| 75th | $44,170 | $21.24 | |
| 90th | $48,290 | $23.22 |
Other cities in Connecticut
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Bridgeport, CT | $43,400 |
| Hartford, CT | $39,150 |
| New Haven, CT | $39,100 |
| Norwich, CT | $38,180 |
Related jobs in Waterbury
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $59,080 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $51,220 |
| Cook | $44,780 |
| Cook | $44,110 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $38,140 |
| Bartender | $37,290 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $36,890 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,580 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $34,850 |
| Food Server | $34,780 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Waterbury?
The median hourly pay in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area is $18.54 ($38,570 a year).
Do cooks make more in Waterbury than the national average?
Yes: $38,570 against $37,390 nationally, 3% more.
How does Waterbury compare with the rest of Connecticut?
The median in Connecticut is $39,480, so Waterbury pays 2% less.
Where does Waterbury rank for cook pay?
72 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Waterbury?
The lowest-paid 10% make $34,750 or less a year; the top 10% make $48,290 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.