Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Western Wisconsin

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

Median annual salary $34,980 -5% vs national
Median hourly $16.82
10th percentile $23,970
90th percentile $44,530
Employed locally 1,040
National median $36,830

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Cooks, Restaurant
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $23,970
    25th
    $29,460
    50th (median)
    $34,980
    75th
    $37,270
    90th
    $44,530

    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 Western Wisconsin

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$27,770
    Bartenders$22,160
    Waiters and Waitresses$27,510
    Food Preparation Workers$33,650
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$37,440
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$37,840

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Restaurant in Western Wisconsin is $16.82, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $20.68 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in Western Wisconsin is 5% 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 Western Wisconsin?

    Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant (10th percentile) earn around $23,970 per year in Western Wisconsin. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $29,460.