Cooks, Short Order Salary in the United States
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for cooks, short order in the United States was $35,880 ($17.25 per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,440 | $11.27 |
| 25th | $30,610 | $14.71 |
| Median | $35,880 | $17.25 |
| 75th | $42,450 | $20.41 |
| 90th | $46,460 | $22.34 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 35-2015
- Total U.S. employment: 138,650
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
Reading the data
The mean wage of $36,120 sits 0.7% above the median — the typical worker earns close to the median, while a smaller group of higher earners pulls the average up.
Cooks, Short Order Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $22,330 | $10.74 | -37.8% | 0 |
| Alaska | $37,780 | $18.16 | +5.3% | 330 |
| Arizona | $46,630 | $22.42 | +30.0% | 1,880 |
| Arkansas | $30,510 | $14.67 | -15.0% | 160 |
| California | $42,930 | $20.64 | +19.6% | 30,740 |
| Colorado | $42,450 | $20.41 | +18.3% | 1,900 |
| Connecticut | $42,450 | $20.41 | +18.3% | 0 |
| Delaware | $38,500 | $18.51 | +7.3% | 0 |
| District of Columbia | $42,450 | $20.41 | +18.3% | 1,910 |
| Florida | $34,240 | $16.46 | -4.6% | 5,050 |
| Georgia | $26,870 | $12.92 | -25.1% | 3,870 |
| Hawaii | $43,110 | $20.73 | +20.2% | 460 |
| Idaho | $40,090 | $19.28 | +11.7% | 120 |
| Illinois | $37,440 | $18.00 | +4.3% | 2,630 |
| Indiana | $21,940 | $10.55 | -38.9% | 2,940 |
| Iowa | $34,090 | $16.39 | -5.0% | 1,160 |
| Kansas | $27,400 | $13.17 | -23.6% | 640 |
| Kentucky | $31,840 | $15.31 | -11.3% | 650 |
| Louisiana | $26,260 | $12.63 | -26.8% | 1,990 |
| Maine | $35,360 | $17.00 | -1.4% | 1,120 |
| Maryland | $36,800 | $17.69 | +2.6% | 3,250 |
| Massachusetts | $44,290 | $21.29 | +23.4% | 4,760 |
| Michigan | $34,510 | $16.59 | -3.8% | 2,560 |
| Minnesota | $32,150 | $15.46 | -10.4% | 870 |
| Mississippi | $28,180 | $13.55 | -21.5% | 1,890 |
| Missouri | $38,490 | $18.50 | +7.3% | 0 |
| Montana | $33,240 | $15.98 | -7.4% | 0 |
| Nebraska | $30,530 | $14.68 | -14.9% | 1,810 |
| Nevada | $37,780 | $18.16 | +5.3% | 790 |
| New Hampshire | $32,330 | $15.54 | -9.9% | 2,320 |
| New Jersey | $40,720 | $19.58 | +13.5% | 850 |
| New Mexico | $37,150 | $17.86 | +3.5% | 750 |
| New York | $35,550 | $17.09 | -0.9% | 18,300 |
| North Carolina | $31,290 | $15.04 | -12.8% | 3,170 |
| Ohio | $29,290 | $14.08 | -18.4% | 6,000 |
| Oklahoma | $35,130 | $16.89 | -2.1% | 760 |
| Oregon | $38,550 | $18.54 | +7.4% | 1,780 |
| Pennsylvania | $19,910 | $9.57 | -44.5% | 3,510 |
| Rhode Island | $46,250 | $22.24 | +28.9% | 0 |
| South Carolina | $29,640 | $14.25 | -17.4% | 900 |
| South Dakota | $32,380 | $15.57 | -9.8% | 2,000 |
| Tennessee | $30,210 | $14.52 | -15.8% | 2,510 |
| Texas | $25,320 | $12.18 | -29.4% | 7,540 |
| Utah | $38,010 | $18.27 | +5.9% | 320 |
| Vermont | $38,830 | $18.67 | +8.2% | 670 |
| Virginia | $31,200 | $15.00 | -13.0% | 3,350 |
| Washington | $42,760 | $20.56 | +19.2% | 1,700 |
| West Virginia | $27,440 | $13.19 | -23.5% | 620 |
| Wisconsin | $28,130 | $13.52 | -21.6% | 2,270 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
Related Occupations
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $36,840/yr
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers — $58,640/yr
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $47,540/yr
- Software Developers — $135,980/yr
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $49,590/yr
- Accountants and Auditors — $83,680/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for cooks, short order?
The median annual wage for cooks, short order is $35,880 ($17.25 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2025.
Which state pays cooks, short order the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many cooks, short order are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 138,650 cooks, short order employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do cooks, short order make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $17.25. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.