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Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Pennsylvania
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Cooks, Restaurant make in Pennsylvania?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$36,580
Median Annual Salary
▲
+3.5% vs 2024
$35,750
Mean Salary
$36,580
Median Salary
$17.59
Hourly Rate
54,100 people work as Cooks, Restaurant in Pennsylvania
Cooks, Restaurant salary by percentile in Pennsylvania
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Cooks, Restaurant in Pennsylvania earn a median salary of $36,580 per year ($3,048/month).
This is 2.9% below the national average of $37,684.
Pennsylvania ranks #28 out of 51 states for Cooks, Restaurant pay.
Approximately 54,100 people work in this occupation across Pennsylvania.
Salaries increased by 3.5% 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 Pennsylvania range from $22,650 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $45,120 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $29,890 and $39,710.
Median $36,580
P10: $22,650P25: $29,890P75: $39,710P90: $45,120
10th
$22,650
25th
$29,890
Median
$36,580
75th
$39,710
90th
$45,120
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$22,650
$10.89
$1,887
25th Percentile
$29,890
$14.37
$2,490
Median (50th)
$36,580
$17.59
$3,048
75th Percentile
$39,710
$19.09
$3,309
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$45,120
$21.69
$3,760
Note: The mean (average) salary of $35,750 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
How much do Cooks, Restaurant make in Pennsylvania?
The median annual salary for Cooks, Restaurant in Pennsylvania is $36,580 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $35,750.
What is the salary range for a Cooks, Restaurant in Pennsylvania?
Salaries for Cooks, Restaurant in Pennsylvania range from $22,650 at the 10th percentile to $45,120 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $29,890 and $39,710.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant positions in Pennsylvania typically start around $22,650 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $29,890 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Cooks, Restaurant in Pennsylvania?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 54,100 people are employed as Cooks, Restaurant in Pennsylvania.
What is the hourly rate for a Cooks, Restaurant in Pennsylvania?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Cooks, Restaurant in Pennsylvania is approximately $17.59 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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