How much does a cook make in Portland?
$36,470a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area. That is $17.53 an hour or $3,039 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.53
- Vs. national median
- +2%
- Rank among cities
- 59 of 237
- Jobs in the area
- 320
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $34,190Median: $36,470Highest 10%: $46,860
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,190 | $16.44 | |
| 25th | $34,190 | $16.44 | |
| Median | $36,470 | $17.53 | |
| 75th | $38,380 | $18.45 | |
| 90th | $46,860 | $22.53 |
Other cities in Maine
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Bangor, ME | $35,400 |
Related jobs in Portland
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $57,380 |
| Bartender | $54,170 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $49,880 |
| Cook | $47,000 |
| Cook | $46,560 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $44,070 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $39,170 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $37,260 |
| Food Server | $37,200 |
| Host and Hostess | $37,100 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Portland?
The median hourly pay in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area is $17.53 ($36,470 a year).
Do cooks make more in Portland than the national average?
Yes: $36,470 against $35,880 nationally, 2% more.
How does Portland compare with the rest of Maine?
The median in Maine is $35,360, so Portland pays 3% more.
Where does Portland rank for cook pay?
59 of 237 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Portland?
The lowest-paid 10% make $34,190 or less a year; the top 10% make $46,860 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.