Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Massachusetts

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

Median annual salary $46,500 +26.3% vs national
Median hourly $22.36
10th percentile $35,570
90th percentile $57,310
Employed locally 600
National median $36,830

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Cooks, Restaurant
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $35,570
    25th
    $37,460
    50th (median)
    $46,500
    75th
    $48,440
    90th
    $57,310

    Top-paying metros for Cooks, Restaurant

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $48,320
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $46,970
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $46,960
    Portland-South Portland, ME $46,960
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $46,340
    Massachusetts $46,280

    Related occupations in Massachusetts

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $35,890
    Waiters and Waitresses $36,510
    Bartenders $36,140
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $47,100
    Food Preparation Workers $37,920
    Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop $36,720

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Restaurant in Massachusetts is $22.36, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $28.64 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in Massachusetts is 26.3% above 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 Massachusetts?

    Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant (10th percentile) earn around $35,570 per year in Massachusetts. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $37,460.