Cooks, Restaurant Hourly Pay

Median hourly wage: $17.98

Hourly Wage Percentiles

PercentileHourly Wage
10th$13.80
25th$16.35
Median$17.98
75th$21.45
90th$23.03

Data source: BLS OES national file · U.S. BLS OES, May 2024 (updated April 2025)

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do cooks, restaurant make an hour?

The median hourly wage is $17.98; the mean hourly wage is $18.62.

What is the entry-level hourly pay for cooks, restaurant?

Workers at the 10th percentile earn about $13.80 per hour — a common proxy for entry-level pay.

What is the top hourly pay for cooks, restaurant?

Workers at the 90th percentile earn about $23.03 per hour.