How much does a cook make in Buffalo?
$38,580a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area. That is $18.55 an hour or $3,215 a month.
- Hourly
- $18.55
- Vs. national median
- +2%
- Rank among cities
- 31 of 63
- Jobs in the area
- 100
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $32,310Median: $38,580Highest 10%: $48,360
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $32,310 | $15.53 | |
| 25th | $37,990 | $18.26 | |
| Median | $38,580 | $18.55 | |
| 75th | $45,440 | $21.85 | |
| 90th | $48,360 | $23.25 |
Other cities in New York
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| New York, NY | $42,630 |
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 | $38,060 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $35,140 |
| Dishwasher | $35,080 |
| Cook | $34,730 |
| 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 $18.55 ($38,580 a year).
Do cooks make more in Buffalo than the national average?
Yes: $38,580 against $37,690 nationally, 2% more.
How does Buffalo compare with the rest of New York?
The median in New York is $43,000, so Buffalo pays 10% less.
Where does Buffalo rank for cook pay?
31 of 63 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Buffalo?
The lowest-paid 10% make $32,310 or less a year; the top 10% make $48,360 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.