Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Southwestern Pennsylvania

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Southwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $31,200 -15.3% vs national
Median hourly $15.00
10th percentile $18,620
90th percentile $42,280
Employed locally 1,330
National median $36,830

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Cooks, Restaurant
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $18,620
    25th
    $26,140
    50th (median)
    $31,200
    75th
    $36,440
    90th
    $42,280

    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 Southwestern Pennsylvania

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $23,660
    Waiters and Waitresses $27,550
    Bartenders $20,720
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $37,200
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $31,080
    Food Preparation Workers $27,560

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Cooks, Restaurant make per hour in Southwestern Pennsylvania?

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Restaurant in Southwestern Pennsylvania is $15.00, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $20.61 or more per hour.

    Is Southwestern Pennsylvania above or below average for Cooks, Restaurant salaries?

    The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in Southwestern Pennsylvania is 15.3% 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 Southwestern Pennsylvania?

    Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant (10th percentile) earn around $18,620 per year in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $26,140.