How much does a cook make in Rochester?
$33,380a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Rochester, NY metro area. That is $16.05 an hour or $2,782 a month.
- Hourly
- $16.05
- Vs. national median
- +8%
- Rank among cities
- 84 of 308
- Jobs in the area
- 920
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $32,240Median: $33,380Highest 10%: $37,710
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $32,240 | $15.50 | |
| 25th | $32,260 | $15.51 | |
| Median | $33,380 | $16.05 | |
| 75th | $35,100 | $16.88 | |
| 90th | $37,710 | $18.13 |
Other cities in New York
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| New York, NY | $35,780 |
| Syracuse, NY | $34,490 |
| Binghamton, NY | $34,290 |
| Buffalo, NY | $33,690 |
| Utica, NY | $33,100 |
| Albany, NY | $32,240 |
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 |
| Cook | $36,580 |
| Food Server | $35,780 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $35,310 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,020 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Rochester?
The median hourly pay in the Rochester, NY metro area is $16.05 ($33,380 a year).
Do cooks make more in Rochester than the national average?
Yes: $33,380 against $30,890 nationally, 8% more.
How does Rochester compare with the rest of New York?
The median in New York is $35,770, so Rochester pays 7% less.
Where does Rochester rank for cook pay?
84 of 308 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 $37,710 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.