How much does a cook make in Buffalo?
$34,730a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area. That is $16.70 an hour or $2,894 a month.
- Hourly
- $16.70
- Vs. national median
- -3%
- Rank among cities
- 95 of 237
- Jobs in the area
- 1,410
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $32,240Median: $34,730Highest 10%: $45,230
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $32,240 | $15.50 | |
| 25th | $32,240 | $15.50 | |
| Median | $34,730 | $16.70 | |
| 75th | $38,330 | $18.43 | |
| 90th | $45,230 | $21.75 |
Other cities in New York
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Rochester, NY | $36,580 |
| Kingston, NY | $36,310 |
| Ithaca, NY | $36,200 |
| Syracuse, NY | $36,190 |
| Kiryas Joel, NY | $36,170 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $35,950 |
| New York, NY | $35,360 |
| Binghamton, NY | $35,240 |
| Utica, NY | $34,690 |
| Watertown, NY | $34,620 |
| Albany, NY | $34,520 |
Related jobs in Buffalo
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $74,290 |
| Bartender | $46,920 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $46,580 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $44,720 |
| Cook | $41,860 |
| Cook | $38,580 |
| Cook | $38,060 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $35,140 |
| Dishwasher | $35,080 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,700 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Buffalo?
The median hourly pay in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $16.70 ($34,730 a year).
Do cooks make more in Buffalo than the national average?
No: $34,730 against $35,880 nationally, 3% less.
How does Buffalo compare with the rest of New York?
The median in New York is $35,550, so Buffalo pays 2% less.
Where does Buffalo rank for cook pay?
95 of 237 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Buffalo?
The lowest-paid 10% make $32,240 or less a year; the top 10% make $45,230 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.