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Cooks, Restaurant Salary in New Jersey
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Cooks, Restaurant make in New Jersey?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$38,460
Median Annual Salary
▲
+1.0% vs 2024
$40,770
Mean Salary
$38,460
Median Salary
$18.49
Hourly Rate
28,800 people work as Cooks, Restaurant in New Jersey
Cooks, Restaurant salary by percentile in New Jersey
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Cooks, Restaurant in New Jersey earn a median salary of $38,460 per year ($3,205/month).
This is 2.1% above the national average of $37,684.
New Jersey ranks #17 out of 51 states for Cooks, Restaurant pay.
Approximately 28,800 people work in this occupation across New Jersey.
Salaries increased by 1.0% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Cooks, Restaurant
Prepare, season, and cook dishes such as soups, meats, vegetables, or desserts in restaurants. May order supplies, keep records and accounts, price items on menu, or plan menu.
Top Skills
Monitoring
3.12
Active Listening
3.0
Speaking
3.0
Critical Thinking
3.0
Coordination
3.0
Key Knowledge Areas
Food Production
4.1
Customer and Personal Service
3.89
English Language
3.56
Production and Processing
3.0
Administration and Management
2.92
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
(44.0% of workers)
Salaries for Cooks, Restaurant in New Jersey range from $32,220 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $50,010 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $35,880 and $45,600.
Median $38,460
P10: $32,220P25: $35,880P75: $45,600P90: $50,010
10th
$32,220
25th
$35,880
Median
$38,460
75th
$45,600
90th
$50,010
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$32,220
$15.49
$2,685
25th Percentile
$35,880
$17.25
$2,990
Median (50th)
$38,460
$18.49
$3,205
75th Percentile
$45,600
$21.92
$3,800
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$50,010
$24.04
$4,167
Note: The mean (average) salary of $40,770 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
The median annual salary for Cooks, Restaurant in New Jersey is $38,460 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $40,770.
What is the salary range for a Cooks, Restaurant in New Jersey?
Salaries for Cooks, Restaurant in New Jersey range from $32,220 at the 10th percentile to $50,010 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $35,880 and $45,600.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in New Jersey?
Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant positions in New Jersey typically start around $32,220 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $35,880 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Cooks, Restaurant in New Jersey?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 28,800 people are employed as Cooks, Restaurant in New Jersey.
What is the hourly rate for a Cooks, Restaurant in New Jersey?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Cooks, Restaurant in New Jersey is approximately $18.49 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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