How much does a cook make in Lancaster?
$29,580a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Lancaster, PA metro area. That is $14.22 an hour or $2,465 a month.
- Hourly
- $14.22
- Vs. national median
- -18%
- Rank among cities
- 160 of 237
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $17,400Median: $29,580Highest 10%: $42,070
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $17,400 | $8.37 | |
| 25th | $21,840 | $10.50 | |
| Median | $29,580 | $14.22 | |
| 75th | $36,440 | $17.52 | |
| 90th | $42,070 | $20.23 |
Other cities in Pennsylvania
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Allentown, PA | $31,940 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $31,360 |
| Harrisburg, PA | $28,970 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $28,350 |
| Scranton, PA | $28,290 |
| Williamsport, PA | $25,490 |
| Erie, PA | $22,450 |
| York, PA | $22,160 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $17,150 |
Related jobs in Lancaster
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $58,040 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $43,250 |
| Cook | $37,040 |
| Cook | $36,500 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $32,190 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $31,580 |
| Food Server | $30,660 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $29,520 |
| Dishwasher | $29,140 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $28,580 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Lancaster?
The median hourly pay in the Lancaster, PA metro area is $14.22 ($29,580 a year).
Do cooks make more in Lancaster than the national average?
No: $29,580 against $35,880 nationally, 18% less.
How does Lancaster compare with the rest of Pennsylvania?
The median in Pennsylvania is $19,910, so Lancaster pays 49% more.
Where does Lancaster rank for cook pay?
160 of 237 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Lancaster?
The lowest-paid 10% make $17,400 or less a year; the top 10% make $42,070 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.