How much does a cook make in State College?
$29,020a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the State College, PA metro area. That is $13.95 an hour or $2,418 a month.
- Hourly
- $13.95
- Vs. national median
- -6%
- Rank among cities
- 162 of 308
- Jobs in the area
- 170
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $22,290Median: $29,020Highest 10%: $36,920
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,290 | $10.72 | |
| 25th | $25,840 | $12.42 | |
| Median | $29,020 | $13.95 | |
| 75th | $35,140 | $16.89 | |
| 90th | $36,920 | $17.75 |
Other cities in Pennsylvania
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Philadelphia, PA | $32,220 |
| Allentown, PA | $28,760 |
| York, PA | $28,520 |
| Scranton, PA | $27,840 |
| Lancaster, PA | $27,260 |
| Harrisburg, PA | $27,070 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $26,620 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $26,550 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $26,350 |
| Altoona, PA | $25,020 |
Related jobs in State College
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $58,560 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $42,500 |
| Cook | $37,100 |
| Cook | $35,990 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $35,280 |
| Food Server | $33,540 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $31,210 |
| Dishwasher | $28,950 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $28,720 |
| Bartender | $28,100 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in State College?
The median hourly pay in the State College, PA metro area is $13.95 ($29,020 a year).
Do cooks make more in State College than the national average?
No: $29,020 against $30,890 nationally, 6% less.
How does State College compare with the rest of Pennsylvania?
The median in Pennsylvania is $28,810, so State College pays 1% more.
Where does State College rank for cook pay?
162 of 308 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in State College?
The lowest-paid 10% make $22,290 or less a year; the top 10% make $36,920 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.