How much does a cook make in Salem?
$33,870a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Salem, OR metro area. That is $16.28 an hour or $2,823 a month.
- Hourly
- $16.28
- Vs. national median
- +10%
- Rank among cities
- 82 of 308
- Jobs in the area
- 420
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $30,580Median: $33,870Highest 10%: $42,730
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $30,580 | $14.70 | |
| 25th | $32,490 | $15.62 | |
| Median | $33,870 | $16.28 | |
| 75th | $37,320 | $17.94 | |
| 90th | $42,730 | $20.54 |
Other cities in Oregon
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Portland, OR | $38,580 |
| Bend, OR | $35,600 |
| Eugene, OR | $35,550 |
| Corvallis, OR | $34,990 |
Related jobs in Salem
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $63,750 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $48,720 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $45,660 |
| Cook | $44,690 |
| Cook | $39,170 |
| Bartender | $38,410 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $37,300 |
| Host and Hostess | $36,780 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $35,250 |
| Dishwasher | $35,070 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Salem?
The median hourly pay in the Salem, OR metro area is $16.28 ($33,870 a year).
Do cooks make more in Salem than the national average?
Yes: $33,870 against $30,890 nationally, 10% more.
How does Salem compare with the rest of Oregon?
The median in Oregon is $37,880, so Salem pays 11% less.
Where does Salem rank for cook pay?
82 of 308 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Salem?
The lowest-paid 10% make $30,580 or less a year; the top 10% make $42,730 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.