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Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Wisconsin
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Cooks, Restaurant make in Wisconsin?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$36,550
Median Annual Salary
▼
-1.1% vs 2024
$36,690
Mean Salary
$36,550
Median Salary
$17.57
Hourly Rate
25,410 people work as Cooks, Restaurant in Wisconsin
Cooks, Restaurant salary by percentile in Wisconsin
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Cooks, Restaurant in Wisconsin earn a median salary of $36,550 per year ($3,045/month).
This is 3.0% below the national average of $37,684.
Wisconsin ranks #29 out of 51 states for Cooks, Restaurant pay.
Approximately 25,410 people work in this occupation across Wisconsin.
Salaries decreased by 1.1% 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 Wisconsin range from $28,010 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $46,270 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $31,240 and $40,280.
Median $36,550
P10: $28,010P25: $31,240P75: $40,280P90: $46,270
10th
$28,010
25th
$31,240
Median
$36,550
75th
$40,280
90th
$46,270
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$28,010
$13.47
$2,334
25th Percentile
$31,240
$15.02
$2,603
Median (50th)
$36,550
$17.57
$3,045
75th Percentile
$40,280
$19.37
$3,356
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$46,270
$22.25
$3,855
Note: The mean (average) salary of $36,690 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
The median annual salary for Cooks, Restaurant in Wisconsin is $36,550 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $36,690.
What is the salary range for a Cooks, Restaurant in Wisconsin?
Salaries for Cooks, Restaurant in Wisconsin range from $28,010 at the 10th percentile to $46,270 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $31,240 and $40,280.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Wisconsin?
Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant positions in Wisconsin typically start around $28,010 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $31,240 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Cooks, Restaurant in Wisconsin?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 25,410 people are employed as Cooks, Restaurant in Wisconsin.
What is the hourly rate for a Cooks, Restaurant in Wisconsin?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Cooks, Restaurant in Wisconsin is approximately $17.57 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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