Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Portland, ME

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Portland-South Portland, ME

Median annual salary $46,960 +27.5% vs national
Median hourly $22.58
10th percentile $37,980
90th percentile $53,250
Employed locally 2,590
National median $36,830

Compare Cooks, Restaurant salary & buying power

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Cooks, Restaurant
in
Portland, ME
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,980
    25th
    $39,730
    50th (median)
    $46,960
    75th
    $48,330
    90th
    $53,250

    Portland economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,602 2023 • Census ACS
    Cooks, Restaurant salary vs area income 53% Median Cooks, Restaurant salary is 47% below the area median household income

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Restaurant in Portland, ME is $22.58, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $26.36 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in Portland, ME is 27.5% 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 Portland?

    Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant (10th percentile) earn around $37,980 per year in Portland, ME. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $39,730.