Cook, All Other Salary in Pennsylvania (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Cooks, All Other in Pennsylvania, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Pennsylvania Median
$36,220
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.41
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-4% vs US median
US median $37,690
State Rank
#22 of 33
660 employed here

How much does a Cook, All Other make in Pennsylvania?

Cooks, All Other in Pennsylvania take home a median of $36,220 annually — roughly $17.41 an hour — which runs 4% below the national median of $37,690.

Within Pennsylvania, entry-level pay starts around $27,210 while the top 10% make $50,850 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $31,880 and $41,810 a year.

Cook, All Other salary range in Pennsylvania

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$27,210$13.08
25th percentile (early career)$31,880$15.33
50th percentile (median)$36,220$17.41
75th percentile (experienced)$41,810$20.10
90th percentile (top earners)$50,850$24.45

How Pennsylvania compares

Pennsylvania ranks 22nd out of 33 states and territories for Cook, All Other pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Massachusetts$69,570
2Washington$52,510
3Nevada$51,220
4New Jersey$46,080
5Indiana$44,290

Working as a Cook, All Other in Pennsylvania

Nationally, about 19,000 people work as Cooks, All Other in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Pennsylvania pay ($36,220) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Cook, All Other make in Pennsylvania?
The median Cook, All Other salary in Pennsylvania is $36,220 per year, or about $17.41 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $27,210 at the entry level to $50,850 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Pennsylvania pay compare to the national average?
Pennsylvania pays Cooks, All Other about 4% less than the national median of $37,690. Pennsylvania ranks 22nd out of 33 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Pennsylvania a good state for Cooks, All Other?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $36,220 a year. About 660 Cooks, All Other are employed in Pennsylvania. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Pennsylvania?
The highest-paying occupations in Pennsylvania include Cardiologist ($579,120), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons ($553,740), Anesthesiologist ($461,390), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Cook, All Other salary report

Related salaries

Food Server, Nonrestaurant

$35,360
median pay · 294,000 employed

Food Preparation Worker

$35,320
median pay · 894,000 employed

Cook, Fast Food

$30,890
median pay · 641,000 employed

Dishwasher

$34,810
median pay · 477,000 employed

Fast Food and Counter Workers

$31,200
median pay · 3,854,000 employed

Waiters and Waitresses

$35,230
median pay · 2,271,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.