Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Maryland

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Maryland nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $36,470 -1% vs national
Median hourly $17.53
10th percentile $31,200
90th percentile $44,170
Employed locally 1,700
National median $36,830

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Cooks, Restaurant
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $31,200
    25th
    $32,750
    50th (median)
    $36,470
    75th
    $39,040
    90th
    $44,170

    Top-paying metros for Cooks, Restaurant

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $48,320
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $46,970
    Portland-South Portland, ME $46,960
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $46,960
    Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area $46,500
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $46,340

    Related occupations in Maryland

    OccupationMedian salary
    Waiters and Waitresses$32,450
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$31,200
    Bartenders$33,950
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$40,290
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$32,880
    Food Preparation Workers$31,610

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Cooks, Restaurant make per hour in Maryland?

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Restaurant in Maryland is $17.53, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.02 or more per hour.

    Is Maryland above or below average for Cooks, Restaurant salaries?

    The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in Maryland is 1% below the national median of $36,830. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Cooks, Restaurant in Maryland?

    Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant (10th percentile) earn around $31,200 per year in Maryland. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $32,750.