Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Northern Michigan

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Northern Michigan nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $31,730 -13.8% vs national
Median hourly $15.26
10th percentile $27,860
90th percentile $42,070
Employed locally 1,660
National median $36,830

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Cooks, Restaurant
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $27,860
    25th
    $29,390
    50th (median)
    $31,730
    75th
    $36,530
    90th
    $42,070

    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 Northern Michigan

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $29,320
    Waiters and Waitresses $34,140
    Bartenders $37,450
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $36,730
    Food Preparation Workers $28,070
    Dishwashers $26,990

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Cooks, Restaurant make per hour in Northern Michigan?

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Restaurant in Northern Michigan is $15.26, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.13 or more per hour.

    Is Northern Michigan above or below average for Cooks, Restaurant salaries?

    The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in Northern Michigan is 13.8% 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 Northern Michigan?

    Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant (10th percentile) earn around $27,860 per year in Northern Michigan. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $29,390.