Cooks, Restaurant Salary in South Florida

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

Median annual salary $36,990 +0.4% vs national
Median hourly $17.79
10th percentile $29,590
90th percentile $46,400
Employed locally 2,080
National median $36,830

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Cooks, Restaurant
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,590
    25th
    $35,340
    50th (median)
    $36,990
    75th
    $43,100
    90th
    $46,400

    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 Florida

    OccupationMedian salary
    Waiters and Waitresses $29,630
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,740
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $44,390
    Bartenders $29,200
    Food Preparation Workers $35,980
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $30,200

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Restaurant in South Florida is $17.79, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.63 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in South Florida is 0.4% 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 South Florida?

    Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant (10th percentile) earn around $29,590 per year in South Florida. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $35,340.