Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD

In Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD, cooks in the restaurant industry typically earn a median annual salary of $37,040, which translates to a median hourly wage of $17.81. This figure is slightly above the national median annual salary for cooks, which stands at $36,830. When comparing this earnings data with local household income metrics, it's evident that cooks' salaries represent approximately 41.5% of the area's median household income of $89,273. This suggests that while cooks earn a modest income, their earnings are significantly lower than the average for households in the region.

For those entering the field, annual salaries can start as low as $23,810 (10th percentile), with 25th percentile earners making approximately $33,750 annually. More experienced cooks, situated at the 75th and 90th percentiles, earn about $43,130 and $45,890 per year, respectively. The differences in earnings can be attributed to factors such as years of experience, skills, type of establishment (e.g., fast food vs. fine dining), and potential for advancement within a restaurant hierarchy. Additionally, geographical cost-of-living variations and the demand for culinary expertise also play significant roles in determining salary levels across different career stages.