Cooks, Restaurant Salary in New Jersey
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for cooks, restaurant in New Jersey was $38,460 +2.9% vs national
New Jersey vs United States
| New Jersey | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $38,460 | $37,390 |
| Median hourly | $18.49 | $17.98 |
| Employment | 28,800 | 1,409,890 |
| Location quotient | 0.74 | 1.00 |
Data source: BLS OES state file (New Jersey) · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
How to interpret these figures
Employment density in New Jersey is 0.74x the national average — a below-average concentration of these roles in the local economy.
Pay spans a wide range: workers at the 10th percentile earn about $32,220, while those at the 90th percentile earn about $50,010 — a 1.6x gap between entry-level and top earners.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cooks, restaurant salary in New Jersey?
The median annual wage in New Jersey is $38,460 ($18.49 per hour), per BLS OES May 2025 data.
How does New Jersey compare to the national average for cooks, restaurant?
The New Jersey median of $38,460 is 2.9% higher than the U.S. median of $37,390.
How many cooks, restaurant work in New Jersey?
Approximately 28,800 are employed in New Jersey, per BLS OES.