Cook, Restaurant Salary in Maine (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Maine Median
$45,290
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.77
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+21% vs US median
US median $37,390
State Rank
#6 of 51
5,130 employed here

How much does a Cook, Restaurant make in Maine?

A Cook, Restaurant working in Maine earns a median salary of $45,290 per year, or about $21.77 per hour. That is 21% above the national median of $37,390 for this occupation.

Within Maine, entry-level pay starts around $38,040 while the top 10% make $49,530 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $39,800 and $47,720 a year.

Cook, Restaurant salary range in Maine

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$38,040$18.29
25th percentile (early career)$39,800$19.13
50th percentile (median)$45,290$21.77
75th percentile (experienced)$47,720$22.94
90th percentile (top earners)$49,530$23.81

How Maine compares

Maine ranks 6th 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 Maine

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 Maine pay ($45,290) 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 Maine?
The median Cook, Restaurant salary in Maine is $45,290 per year, or about $21.77 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,040 at the entry level to $49,530 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Maine pay compare to the national average?
Maine pays Cooks, Restaurant about 21% more than the national median of $37,390. Maine ranks 6th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Maine a good state for Cooks, Restaurant?
Yes on pay — Maine pays above the national median for this occupation, at $45,290 a year. About 5,130 Cooks, Restaurant are employed in Maine. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Maine?
The highest-paying occupations in Maine include Radiologist ($555,750), Physician, All Other ($419,410), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($379,930), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Cook, Restaurant salary report

Related salaries

Food Preparation Worker

$35,320
median pay · 894,000 employed

Cook, Short Order

$35,880
median pay · 139,000 employed

Fast Food and Counter Workers

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

Food Server, Nonrestaurant

$35,360
median pay · 294,000 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.