Pennsylvania ranks 34th of 51 states and D.C. for cooks, restaurant pay, trailing top-paying Massachusetts ($46,280) by $10,940 — a 31% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $21,500 to $44,390 — a $22,890 spread, 18% wider than the national $19,330 range.
Pennsylvania employs roughly 3.8% of all cooks, restaurant in the country (54,830 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $21,500 | $10.34 |
| 25th percentile | $29,020 | $13.95 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $35,340 | $16.99 |
| 75th percentile | $38,530 | $18.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,390 | $21.34 |
| Mean (average) | $34,140 | $16.41 |
How Pennsylvania Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania (current) | $35,340 | n/a |
| Massachusetts | $46,280 | +31% |
| District of Columbia | $45,230 | +28% |
| Washington | $44,980 | +27% |
| Maine | $44,870 | +27% |
| Hawaii | $44,710 | +27% |
| Vermont | $44,560 | +26% |
| California | $44,290 | +25% |
| New York | $39,890 | +13% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Pennsylvania
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $35,260 | 4,670 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $35,070 | 14,430 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $35,670 | 87,810 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,960 | 11,810 |
| Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service | $35,760 | 3,790 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $35,880 | 6,430 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Cooks, Restaurant salary in Pennsylvania?
The mean cooks, restaurant salary in Pennsylvania is $34,140 per year. The median (middle) salary is $35,340 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level cooks, restaurants (10th percentile) in Pennsylvania typically earn around $21,500 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $29,020 per year.
What is the highest Cooks, Restaurant salary in Pennsylvania?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Pennsylvania make approximately $44,390 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $38,530 per year.
How does the Pennsylvania Cooks, Restaurant salary compare to the national average?
The median cooks, restaurant salary in Pennsylvania is $35,340, which is -4% below national average of $36,830.