Cook Salary in 2026
How Much Do Cooks Make?
Cooks earn a median annual salary of $36,210 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $26,430 at the 10th percentile to $49,600 at the 90th percentile — a range of $23,170. The highest-paying state is Massachusetts at $67,140.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $26,430 |
| 25th percentile | $31,200 |
| Median (50th) | $36,210 |
| 75th percentile | $42,230 |
| 90th percentile | $49,600 |
Cook Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusettstop | $67,140 |
| Washington | $54,460 |
| Nevada | $49,600 |
| Illinois | $47,100 |
| Colorado | $46,730 |
| New Jersey | $44,490 |
| Alaska | $42,920 |
| Indiana | $42,290 |
| Kentucky | $42,240 |
| New York | $42,210 |
| Idaho | $41,850 |
| Montana | $41,220 |
| Oregon | $40,540 |
| Ohio | $40,090 |
| Vermont | $40,070 |
| Florida | $39,960 |
| California | $39,430 |
| Minnesota | $39,330 |
| Utah | $39,330 |
| South Carolina | $39,310 |
| Hawaii | $37,850 |
| North Dakota | $37,100 |
| Arizona | $36,280 |
| Michigan | $35,810 |
| Georgia | $35,580 |
| Tennessee | $35,350 |
| Connecticut | $35,100 |
| Pennsylvania | $35,030 |
| Missouri | $34,900 |
| Virginia | $33,930 |
| Maryland | $33,280 |
| Wisconsin | $32,760 |
| North Carolina | $31,810 |
| Iowa | $31,240 |
| Texas | $31,020 |
| Louisiana | $29,630 |
| Arkansas | $27,500 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Cooks
Cook Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$26,430 – $31,200 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$36,210 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$42,230 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $49,600+ |
How to Earn More as a Cook
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Cooks in Massachusetts earn $67,140 — $30,930 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($42,230) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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SOC: 35-2019.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.