Cooks (Restaurant) Salary by State
The national median pay for cooks (restaurant) is $37,390 a year. By state, it ranges from $29,050 in Louisiana to $46,800 in Washington.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $28,700
- 25th percentile
- $34,010
- Median
- $37,390
- 75th percentile
- $44,620
- Top 10%
- $47,900
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 1,409,890 jobs.
Median pay in 50 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $46,800 | +25% | $37,940 | $57,910 | 35,140 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $46,130 | +23% | $36,440 | $53,020 | 7,720 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $45,600 | +22% | $36,540 | $58,590 | 29,570 |
| 4 | Hawaii | $45,420 | +21% | $35,740 | $65,320 | 11,090 |
| 5 | Vermont | $45,390 | +21% | $31,210 | $56,180 | 2,360 |
| 6 | Maine | $45,290 | +21% | $38,040 | $49,530 | 5,130 |
| 7 | California | $44,880 | +20% | $37,100 | $55,580 | 152,250 |
| 8 | New York | $43,680 | +17% | $34,490 | $54,240 | 71,530 |
| 9 | Oregon | $43,100 | +15% | $36,080 | $58,280 | 21,550 |
| 10 | Colorado | $41,600 | +11% | $34,590 | $49,650 | 30,600 |
| 11 | New Hampshire | $40,200 | +8% | $34,390 | $49,400 | 7,190 |
| 12 | Alaska | $40,140 | +7% | $36,230 | $46,800 | 2,350 |
| 13 | Connecticut | $39,480 | +6% | $35,460 | $49,420 | 14,830 |
| 14 | Arizona | $38,670 | +3% | $33,250 | $46,240 | 30,870 |
| 15 | Nevada | $38,610 | +3% | $30,300 | $56,540 | 27,250 |
| 16 | Minnesota | $38,590 | +3% | $31,280 | $47,850 | 26,080 |
| 17 | New Jersey | $38,460 | +3% | $32,220 | $50,010 | 28,800 |
| 18 | Montana | $38,060 | +2% | $29,380 | $47,670 | 7,580 |
| 19 | Delaware | $37,840 | +1% | $31,250 | $46,940 | 5,280 |
| 20 | Maryland | $37,820 | +1% | $35,030 | $47,840 | 17,690 |
| 21 | Illinois | $37,580 | +1% | $31,200 | $46,460 | 53,540 |
| 22 | Nebraska | $37,030 | −1% | $28,680 | $44,880 | 4,750 |
| 23 | Florida | $37,020 | −1% | $29,710 | $46,450 | 124,040 |
| 24 | Michigan | $36,980 | −1% | $29,570 | $46,030 | 39,100 |
| 25 | Missouri | $36,940 | −1% | $28,890 | $46,970 | 25,990 |
| 26 | Wyoming | $36,830 | −1% | $27,850 | $52,530 | 2,710 |
| 27 | Virginia | $36,750 | −2% | $29,340 | $45,740 | 40,310 |
| 28 | Pennsylvania | $36,580 | −2% | $22,650 | $45,120 | 54,100 |
| 29 | Wisconsin | $36,550 | −2% | $28,010 | $46,270 | 25,410 |
| 30 | Rhode Island | $36,510 | −2% | $31,840 | $49,450 | 6,950 |
| 31 | Utah | $36,490 | −2% | $28,800 | $46,580 | 10,520 |
| 32 | North Dakota | $36,470 | −2% | $28,850 | $45,650 | 4,490 |
| 33 | Idaho | $36,440 | −3% | $25,470 | $47,020 | 8,130 |
| 34 | Tennessee | $36,420 | −3% | $27,910 | $45,650 | 28,220 |
| 35 | South Dakota | $36,220 | −3% | $30,140 | $44,990 | 1,890 |
| 36 | Georgia | $35,940 | −4% | $24,160 | $43,210 | 46,350 |
| 37 | South Carolina | $35,740 | −4% | $26,200 | $45,680 | 25,890 |
| 38 | Iowa | $35,670 | −5% | $28,690 | $44,460 | 12,270 |
| 39 | Ohio | $35,540 | −5% | $27,590 | $44,940 | 46,910 |
| 40 | North Carolina | $35,400 | −5% | $27,980 | $45,450 | 50,150 |
| 41 | Indiana | $35,170 | −6% | $26,000 | $44,190 | 26,960 |
| 42 | Kansas | $35,130 | −6% | $26,120 | $44,540 | 11,620 |
| 43 | New Mexico | $35,020 | −6% | $28,100 | $43,400 | 7,810 |
| 44 | Texas | $34,760 | −7% | $23,330 | $42,810 | 126,620 |
| 45 | Kentucky | $34,640 | −7% | $24,750 | $43,750 | 13,510 |
| 46 | Alabama | $32,180 | −14% | $24,170 | $39,220 | 16,260 |
| 47 | Oklahoma | $31,720 | −15% | $22,850 | $44,170 | 17,050 |
| 48 | Arkansas | $30,180 | −19% | $26,020 | $37,140 | 11,270 |
| 49 | West Virginia | $29,590 | −21% | $22,180 | $38,010 | 6,450 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $29,560 | −21% | $22,010 | $36,880 | 10,770 |
| 51 | Louisiana | $29,050 | −22% | $21,970 | $39,540 | 14,910 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Cooks (Restaurant) salary questions
Which state pays cooks (restaurant) the most?
Washington, with a median of $46,800 a year (+25% vs. the national median of $37,390). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays cooks (restaurant) the least?
Louisiana, with a median of $29,050 a year (−22% vs. national).
Where do most cooks (restaurant) work?
California has the most jobs, about 152,250, with a median of $44,880.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.