LocalSalaryHub Salary Report
Cooks, Restaurant in Rochester, NY · Generated June 4, 2026
Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Rochester, NY $38,380/yr
$38,380
Mean: $40,250
~$29,936 est. take-home
$18.45
Based on 2,080 hrs/yr
100
100 = national avg
Salary Distribution
Where the median falls between the 25th and 75th percentile.
25th %
$35,930
Median
$38,380
75th %
$44,570
Median is in the 28th percentile of the typical range
Cooks, Restaurant in other NY cities
Compare the same occupation across cities in NY.
About Cooks, Restaurant salaries in Rochester, NY
Cooks, Restaurant in Rochester, NY earn a median of $38,380 per year, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data. The mean salary is $40,250, which tends to skew higher because a small number of high earners pull the average up.
Most cooks, restaurant in this area earn between $35,930 and $44,570. Where you land depends on experience, employer type, and whether you have in-demand specializations.
That works out to roughly $18.45 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual hourly pay may differ for part-time or contract roles.
Career Outlook
This occupation is tracking close to the national average for job growth. Openings come from a mix of new positions and people retiring or changing careers, with regional variation depending on local industry mix.
Worth knowing: Staying current with industry certifications and picking up adjacent skills (data literacy, project management, or automation tools) is the most reliable way to earn above median in this field.
Cooks, Restaurant Jobs in Rochester, NY
Median: $38,380/yr — browse openings that fit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a cooks, restaurant in Rochester?▾
The median — where half earn more and half earn less — is $38,380. The average (mean) is $40,250, which is higher because top earners pull it up.
How much does a cooks, restaurant make per hour in Rochester?▾
About $18.45/hour, based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Part-time or overtime hours will change the actual rate.
What is the salary range for cooks, restaurant in Rochester?▾
The middle 50% earn between $35,930 and $44,570. Below $35,930 is typically entry-level; above $44,570 usually means significant experience or specialized skills.
Salary Conversion Table
How does $38,380 per year break down across different time periods?
| Period | Gross | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| Yearly | $38,380 | $29,936 |
| Monthly | $3,198 | $2,495 |
| Biweekly | $1,476 | $1,151 |
| Weekly | $738 | $576 |
| Hourly (40h/wk) | $18.45 | $14.39 |
| Hourly (35h/wk) | $21.09 | $16.45 |
| Hourly (30h/wk) | $24.6 | $19.19 |
| Daily (8h) | $148 | $115 |
Take-home estimates use an effective tax rate of 22%. Actual amounts vary by filing status, deductions, and state tax.
Cooks, Restaurant: Highest-Paying Cities in the U.S.
Top 10 cities nationwide for cooks, restaurant, based on BLS median salary data.
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