Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Southern Michigan

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

Median annual salary $31,940 -13.3% vs national
Median hourly $15.36
10th percentile $22,200
90th percentile $43,010
Employed locally 1,560
National median $36,830

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Cooks, Restaurant
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $22,200
    25th
    $28,970
    50th (median)
    $31,940
    75th
    $37,130
    90th
    $43,010

    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 Southern Michigan

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,110
    Waiters and Waitresses $34,150
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $36,690
    Bartenders $38,280
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $35,020
    Food Preparation Workers $28,970

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Restaurant in Southern Michigan is $15.36, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.37 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in Southern Michigan is 13.3% 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 Southern Michigan?

    Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant (10th percentile) earn around $22,200 per year in Southern Michigan. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $28,970.