How much does a cook make in Rochester?
$36,580a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Rochester, NY metro area. That is $17.59 an hour or $3,048 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.59
- Vs. national median
- +2%
- Rank among cities
- 58 of 237
- Jobs in the area
- 1,180
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $32,240Median: $36,580Highest 10%: $44,060
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $32,240 | $15.50 | |
| 25th | $35,190 | $16.92 | |
| Median | $36,580 | $17.59 | |
| 75th | $44,060 | $21.18 | |
| 90th | $44,060 | $21.18 |
Other cities in New York
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| 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 |
| Buffalo, NY | $34,730 |
| Utica, NY | $34,690 |
| Watertown, NY | $34,620 |
| Albany, NY | $34,520 |
Related jobs in Rochester
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $66,080 |
| Bartender | $45,920 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $45,310 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $43,040 |
| Cook | $38,670 |
| Cook | $38,380 |
| Food Server | $35,780 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $35,310 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,020 |
| Dishwasher | $33,880 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Rochester?
The median hourly pay in the Rochester, NY metro area is $17.59 ($36,580 a year).
Do cooks make more in Rochester than the national average?
Yes: $36,580 against $35,880 nationally, 2% more.
How does Rochester compare with the rest of New York?
The median in New York is $35,550, so Rochester pays 3% more.
Where does Rochester rank for cook pay?
58 of 237 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Rochester?
The lowest-paid 10% make $32,240 or less a year; the top 10% make $44,060 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.