How much does a cook make in Buffalo?
$33,690a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area. That is $16.20 an hour or $2,808 a month.
- Hourly
- $16.20
- Vs. national median
- +9%
- Rank among cities
- 83 of 308
- Jobs in the area
- 600
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $32,490Median: $33,690Highest 10%: $40,250
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $32,490 | $15.62 | |
| 25th | $33,060 | $15.89 | |
| Median | $33,690 | $16.20 | |
| 75th | $36,730 | $17.66 | |
| 90th | $40,250 | $19.35 |
Other cities in New York
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| New York, NY | $35,780 |
| Syracuse, NY | $34,490 |
| Binghamton, NY | $34,290 |
| Rochester, NY | $33,380 |
| Utica, NY | $33,100 |
| Albany, NY | $32,240 |
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 |
| Cook | $34,730 |
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 $16.20 ($33,690 a year).
Do cooks make more in Buffalo than the national average?
Yes: $33,690 against $30,890 nationally, 9% more.
How does Buffalo compare with the rest of New York?
The median in New York is $35,770, so Buffalo pays 6% less.
Where does Buffalo rank for cook pay?
83 of 308 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Buffalo?
The lowest-paid 10% make $32,490 or less a year; the top 10% make $40,250 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.