Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
Click a state. States: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming.
By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Cooks, restaurant (SOC 35-2014) employed 1,409,890 people in May 2025. The median pay is $37,390 a year ($17.98 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $28,700 and the highest-paid 10% more than $47,900. BLS projects its employment to change by +12.1% between 2025 and 2035 (about 218,600 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: No formal educational credential, with less than 5 years experience in a related occupation.
Highest median pay: Washington ($46,800), District of Columbia ($46,130), Massachusetts ($45,600). Most jobs: California (152,250), Texas (126,620), Florida (124,040).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,700 | $13.80 |
| 25th percentile | $34,010 | $16.35 |
| Median | $37,390 | $17.98 |
| Mean | $38,730 | $18.62 |
| 75th percentile | $44,620 | $21.45 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $47,900 | $23.03 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 1,417,500 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 1,588,800 |
| Change in jobs | 171,400 |
| Percent change | +12.1% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 218,600 |
| Self-employed share | n/a |
| Typical entry education | No formal educational credential |
| Work experience in a related occupation | Less than 5 years |
| Typical on-the-job training | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 16,260 | 0.85 | $32,180 | $24,170 | $39,220 | -14% | 40% |
| Alaska | 2,350 | 0.80 | $40,140 | $36,230 | $46,800 | +7% | 43% |
| Arizona | 30,870 | 1.05 | $38,670 | $33,250 | $46,240 | +3% | 52% |
| Arkansas | 11,270 | 0.95 | $30,180 | $26,020 | $37,140 | -19% | 39% |
| California | 152,250 | 0.92 | $44,880 | $37,100 | $55,580 | +20% | 56% |
| Colorado | 30,600 | 1.17 | $41,600 | $34,590 | $49,650 | +11% | 53% |
| Connecticut | 14,830 | 0.96 | $39,480 | $35,460 | $49,420 | +6% | 47% |
| Delaware | 5,280 | 1.20 | $37,840 | $31,250 | $46,940 | +1% | 49% |
| District of Columbia | 7,720 | 1.21 | $46,130 | $36,440 | $53,020 | +23% | 50% |
| Florida | 124,040 | 1.38 | $37,020 | $29,710 | $46,450 | -1% | 59% |
| Georgia | 46,350 | 1.05 | $35,940 | $24,160 | $43,210 | -4% | 50% |
| Hawaii | 11,090 | 1.95 | $45,420 | $35,740 | $65,320 | +21% | 51% |
| Idaho | 8,130 | 1.05 | $36,440 | $25,470 | $47,020 | -3% | 46% |
| Illinois | 53,540 | 0.97 | $37,580 | $31,200 | $46,460 | +1% | 42% |
| Indiana | 26,960 | 0.93 | $35,170 | $26,000 | $44,190 | -6% | 38% |
| Iowa | 12,270 | 0.87 | $35,670 | $28,690 | $44,460 | -5% | 33% |
| Kansas | 11,620 | 0.89 | $35,130 | $26,120 | $44,540 | -6% | 37% |
| Kentucky | 13,510 | 0.74 | $34,640 | $24,750 | $43,750 | -7% | 35% |
| Louisiana | 14,910 | 0.85 | $29,050 | $21,970 | $39,540 | -22% | 44% |
| Maine | 5,130 | 0.88 | $45,290 | $38,040 | $49,530 | +21% | 32% |
| Maryland | 17,690 | 0.71 | $37,820 | $35,030 | $47,840 | +1% | 55% |
| Massachusetts | 29,570 | 0.90 | $45,600 | $36,540 | $58,590 | +22% | 49% |
| Michigan | 39,100 | 0.98 | $36,980 | $29,570 | $46,030 | -1% | 38% |
| Minnesota | 26,080 | 0.98 | $38,590 | $31,280 | $47,850 | +3% | 40% |
| Mississippi | 10,770 | 1.02 | $29,560 | $22,010 | $36,880 | -21% | 40% |
| Missouri | 25,990 | 0.98 | $36,940 | $28,890 | $46,970 | -1% | 35% |
| Montana | 7,580 | 1.63 | $38,060 | $29,380 | $47,670 | +2% | 37% |
| Nebraska | 4,750 | 0.51 | $37,030 | $28,680 | $44,880 | -1% | 36% |
| Nevada | 27,250 | 1.94 | $38,610 | $30,300 | $56,540 | +3% | 53% |
| New Hampshire | 7,190 | 1.16 | $40,200 | $34,390 | $49,400 | +8% | 47% |
| New Jersey | 28,800 | 0.74 | $38,460 | $32,220 | $50,010 | +3% | 56% |
| New Mexico | 7,810 | 0.99 | $35,020 | $28,100 | $43,400 | -6% | 38% |
| New York | 71,530 | 0.81 | $43,680 | $34,490 | $54,240 | +17% | 45% |
| North Carolina | 50,150 | 1.12 | $35,400 | $27,980 | $45,450 | -5% | 45% |
| North Dakota | 4,490 | 1.15 | $36,470 | $28,850 | $45,650 | -2% | 32% |
| Ohio | 46,910 | 0.93 | $35,540 | $27,590 | $44,940 | -5% | 37% |
| Oklahoma | 17,050 | 1.10 | $31,720 | $22,850 | $44,170 | -15% | 39% |
| Oregon | 21,550 | 1.21 | $43,100 | $36,080 | $58,280 | +15% | 44% |
| Pennsylvania | 54,100 | 0.98 | $36,580 | $22,650 | $45,120 | -2% | 41% |
| Rhode Island | 6,950 | 1.53 | $36,510 | $31,840 | $49,450 | -2% | 47% |
| South Carolina | 25,890 | 1.24 | $35,740 | $26,200 | $45,680 | -4% | 43% |
| South Dakota | 1,890 | 0.46 | $36,220 | $30,140 | $44,990 | -3% | 33% |
| Tennessee | 28,220 | 0.95 | $36,420 | $27,910 | $45,650 | -3% | 42% |
| Texas | 126,620 | 0.99 | $34,760 | $23,330 | $42,810 | -7% | 51% |
| Utah | 10,520 | 0.67 | $36,490 | $28,800 | $46,580 | -2% | 52% |
| Vermont | 2,360 | 0.86 | $45,390 | $31,210 | $56,180 | +21% | 35% |
| Virginia | 40,310 | 1.08 | $36,750 | $29,340 | $45,740 | -2% | 54% |
| Washington | 35,140 | 1.09 | $46,800 | $37,940 | $57,910 | +25% | 47% |
| West Virginia | 6,450 | 1.01 | $29,590 | $22,180 | $38,010 | -21% | 36% |
| Wisconsin | 25,410 | 0.95 | $36,550 | $28,010 | $46,270 | -2% | 37% |
| Wyoming | 2,710 | 1.06 | $36,830 | $27,850 | $52,530 | -1% | 33% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | 1,770 | $49,560 | $38,470 | $74,350 | 2.65 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 20,850 | $47,730 | $38,360 | $58,660 | 1.10 |
| Napa, CA | 1,270 | $47,320 | $38,570 | $58,130 | 1.80 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 8,900 | $47,170 | $37,100 | $63,940 | 0.86 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | 1,760 | $46,930 | $37,010 | $59,840 | 2.07 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | 2,730 | $46,560 | $38,570 | $54,830 | 1.04 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | 1,090 | $46,460 | $37,550 | $56,600 | 1.28 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | 590 | $46,450 | $37,280 | $56,800 | 1.23 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 15,670 | $46,440 | $37,840 | $51,820 | 1.12 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 20,540 | $46,030 | $40,720 | $58,940 | 0.95 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 22,900 | $45,830 | $36,810 | $58,690 | 0.93 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 2,340 | $45,720 | $38,220 | $55,830 | 1.26 |
| Burlington-South Burlington, VT | 950 | $45,390 | $31,020 | $58,820 | 0.87 |
| Bellingham, WA | 1,090 | $45,370 | $36,800 | $56,700 | 1.32 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | 1,150 | $45,280 | $36,690 | $55,910 | 0.98 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 13,020 | $45,200 | $37,510 | $61,430 | 1.19 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | 310 | $44,980 | $34,890 | $53,310 | 0.82 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | 1,090 | $44,960 | $36,210 | $54,780 | 0.93 |
| Salinas, CA | 1,910 | $44,930 | $37,150 | $57,980 | 1.13 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | 540 | $44,680 | $35,720 | $56,370 | 0.91 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 1,020 | $44,560 | $37,170 | $49,840 | 1.15 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | 780 | $44,550 | $37,030 | $50,670 | 1.69 |
| Bend, OR | 1,530 | $44,540 | $36,440 | $57,060 | 1.56 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 54,320 | $44,460 | $37,230 | $55,010 | 0.96 |
| Yakima, WA | 680 | $44,390 | $35,670 | $53,230 | 0.77 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 15,410 | $44,370 | $36,340 | $49,880 | 1.06 |
| Worcester, MA | 2,490 | $44,250 | $35,990 | $56,180 | 0.79 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 9,240 | $44,230 | $36,750 | $48,470 | 0.94 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 2,490 | $44,230 | $36,450 | $54,440 | 1.07 |
| Vallejo, CA | 1,020 | $44,100 | $37,810 | $49,120 | 0.78 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | 2,200 | $44,000 | $35,360 | $48,380 | 0.90 |
| Pittsfield, MA | 630 | $43,970 | $35,050 | $56,310 | 1.23 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 69,250 | $43,740 | $33,040 | $54,240 | 0.80 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | 3,970 | $43,400 | $36,390 | $50,240 | 1.08 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 2,300 | $43,340 | $36,500 | $50,200 | 1.26 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 1,640 | $43,220 | $36,690 | $48,280 | 1.48 |
| Kingston, NY | 750 | $43,150 | $34,840 | $48,450 | 1.40 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 29,670 | $42,920 | $35,310 | $49,650 | 1.04 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 14,280 | $42,450 | $36,320 | $49,300 | 0.92 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | 6,960 | $42,450 | $30,270 | $62,550 | 1.72 |
| Bozeman, MT | 1,370 | $42,430 | $33,280 | $51,470 | 2.09 |
| Boulder, CO | 2,190 | $42,220 | $34,340 | $54,600 | 1.26 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 3,000 | $42,060 | $36,760 | $47,040 | 1.02 |
| Modesto, CA | 1,300 | $41,910 | $36,680 | $47,040 | 0.74 |
| Naples-Marco Island, FL | 3,650 | $41,220 | $36,290 | $49,480 | 2.32 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 1,560 | $41,170 | $36,570 | $47,760 | 0.59 |
| Bangor, ME | 510 | $40,760 | $37,430 | $46,350 | 0.78 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | 3,370 | $40,250 | $35,000 | $50,840 | 2.21 |
| Anchorage, AK | 1,340 | $40,140 | $36,320 | $47,080 | 0.83 |
| Springfield, MA | 1,410 | $39,970 | $35,160 | $54,830 | 0.77 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 17,760 | $39,640 | $35,310 | $48,160 | 1.00 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | 3,100 | $39,610 | $34,040 | $46,630 | 0.76 |
| Ithaca, NY | 350 | $39,280 | $35,140 | $48,330 | 0.80 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 21,780 | $39,170 | $34,940 | $46,500 | 1.01 |
| Salem, OR | 1,610 | $39,170 | $31,510 | $49,720 | 0.94 |
| Yuba City, CA | 400 | $39,160 | $36,210 | $49,570 | 0.85 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | 4,900 | $39,150 | $35,390 | $48,900 | 0.90 |
| New Haven, CT | 2,350 | $39,100 | $36,080 | $49,420 | 0.92 |
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | 1,900 | $38,960 | $33,200 | $47,950 | 1.05 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 41,690 | $38,930 | $32,150 | $46,620 | 1.02 |
The median is $37,390 a year ($17.98 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $28,700 and the highest-paid tenth over $47,900 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
1,409,890 in May 2025, and BLS projects +12.1% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: No formal educational credential (BLS).
Washington, with a median of $46,800 (among states with published figures).