How much does a cook make in Lancaster?
$27,260a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Lancaster, PA metro area. That is $13.11 an hour or $2,272 a month.
- Hourly
- $13.11
- Vs. national median
- -12%
- Rank among cities
- 224 of 308
- Jobs in the area
- 460
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $23,120Median: $27,260Highest 10%: $36,690
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,120 | $11.12 | |
| 25th | $26,430 | $12.71 | |
| Median | $27,260 | $13.11 | |
| 75th | $35,390 | $17.01 | |
| 90th | $36,690 | $17.64 |
Other cities in Pennsylvania
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Philadelphia, PA | $32,220 |
| State College, PA | $29,020 |
| Allentown, PA | $28,760 |
| York, PA | $28,520 |
| Scranton, PA | $27,840 |
| Harrisburg, PA | $27,070 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $26,620 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $26,550 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $26,350 |
| Altoona, PA | $25,020 |
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 |
| Cook | $29,580 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $29,520 |
| Dishwasher | $29,140 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Lancaster?
The median hourly pay in the Lancaster, PA metro area is $13.11 ($27,260 a year).
Do cooks make more in Lancaster than the national average?
No: $27,260 against $30,890 nationally, 12% less.
How does Lancaster compare with the rest of Pennsylvania?
The median in Pennsylvania is $28,810, so Lancaster pays 5% less.
Where does Lancaster rank for cook pay?
224 of 308 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Lancaster?
The lowest-paid 10% make $23,120 or less a year; the top 10% make $36,690 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.