Cook, Restaurant Salary in Alaska (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Alaska Median
$40,140
per year
Hourly Rate
$19.30
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+7% vs US median
US median $37,390
State Rank
#12 of 51
2,350 employed here

How much does a Cook, Restaurant make in Alaska?

A Cook, Restaurant working in Alaska earns a median salary of $40,140 per year, or about $19.30 per hour. That is 7% above the national median of $37,390 for this occupation.

Within Alaska, entry-level pay starts around $36,230 while the top 10% make $46,800 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,820 and $44,110 a year.

Cook, Restaurant salary range in Alaska

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$36,230$17.42
25th percentile (early career)$36,820$17.70
50th percentile (median)$40,140$19.30
75th percentile (experienced)$44,110$21.21
90th percentile (top earners)$46,800$22.50

How Alaska compares

Alaska ranks 12th out of 51 states and territories for Cook, Restaurant pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Washington$46,800
2District of Columbia$46,130
3Massachusetts$45,600
4Hawaii$45,420
5Vermont$45,390

Working as a Cook, Restaurant in Alaska

Nationally, about 1,410,000 people work as Cooks, Restaurant in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Alaska pay ($40,140) 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, Restaurant make in Alaska?
The median Cook, Restaurant salary in Alaska is $40,140 per year, or about $19.30 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,230 at the entry level to $46,800 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Alaska pay compare to the national average?
Alaska pays Cooks, Restaurant about 7% more than the national median of $37,390. Alaska ranks 12th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Alaska a good state for Cooks, Restaurant?
Yes on pay — Alaska pays above the national median for this occupation, at $40,140 a year. About 2,350 Cooks, Restaurant are employed in Alaska. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Alaska?
The highest-paying occupations in Alaska include Emergency Medicine Physician ($452,620), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($421,450), General Internal Medicine Physician ($366,080), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Cook, Restaurant salary report

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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.