Cooks, Restaurant Salary in South Central Wisconsin

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $36,170 -1.8% vs national
Median hourly $17.39
10th percentile $28,350
90th percentile $45,570
Employed locally 2,070
National median $36,830

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Cooks, Restaurant
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South Central Wisconsin
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $28,350
    25th
    $30,490
    50th (median)
    $36,170
    75th
    $38,340
    90th
    $45,570

    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 South Central Wisconsin

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,060
    Waiters and Waitresses $28,350
    Bartenders $21,770
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $38,570
    Food Preparation Workers $31,200
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $37,090

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Cooks, Restaurant make per hour in South Central Wisconsin?

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Restaurant in South Central Wisconsin is $17.39, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.02 or more per hour.

    Is South Central Wisconsin above or below average for Cooks, Restaurant salaries?

    The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in South Central Wisconsin is 1.8% 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 South Central Wisconsin?

    Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant (10th percentile) earn around $28,350 per year in South Central Wisconsin. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $30,490.