Massachusetts Median
$45,600
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.92
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+22% vs US median
US median $37,390
State Rank
#3 of 51
29,570 employed here
How much does a Cook, Restaurant make in Massachusetts?
Cooks, Restaurant in Massachusetts take home a median of $45,600 annually — roughly $21.92 an hour — which runs 22% above the national median of $37,390.
Within Massachusetts, entry-level pay starts around $36,540 while the top 10% make $58,590 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,370 and $49,040 a year.
Cook, Restaurant salary range in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,540 | $17.57 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $38,370 | $18.45 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $45,600 | $21.92 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $49,040 | $23.58 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,590 | $28.17 |
|
How Massachusetts compares
Massachusetts ranks 3rd out of 51 states and territories for Cook, Restaurant pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Cook, Restaurant salary in other states
Washington $46,800District of Columbia $46,130Hawaii $45,420Vermont $45,390Maine $45,290California $44,880New York $43,680Oregon $43,100Colorado $41,600New Hampshire $40,200Alaska $40,140Connecticut $39,480Arizona $38,670Nevada $38,610Minnesota $38,590New Jersey $38,460Montana $38,060Delaware $37,840Maryland $37,820Illinois $37,580Nebraska $37,030Florida $37,020Michigan $36,980Missouri $36,940Wyoming $36,830Virginia $36,750Pennsylvania $36,580Wisconsin $36,550Rhode Island $36,510Utah $36,490North Dakota $36,470Idaho $36,440Tennessee $36,420South Dakota $36,220Georgia $35,940South Carolina $35,740Iowa $35,670Ohio $35,540North Carolina $35,400Indiana $35,170Kansas $35,130New Mexico $35,020Texas $34,760Kentucky $34,640Alabama $32,180Oklahoma $31,720Arkansas $30,180West Virginia $29,590Mississippi $29,560Louisiana $29,050
Working as a Cook, Restaurant in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts pay ($45,600) 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 Massachusetts?
The median Cook, Restaurant salary in Massachusetts is $45,600 per year, or about $21.92 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,540 at the entry level to $58,590 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Massachusetts pay compare to the national average?
Massachusetts pays Cooks, Restaurant about 22% more than the national median of $37,390. Massachusetts ranks 3rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Massachusetts a good state for Cooks, Restaurant?
Yes on pay — Massachusetts pays above the national median for this occupation, at $45,600 a year. About 29,570 Cooks, Restaurant are employed in Massachusetts. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Massachusetts?
The highest-paying occupations in Massachusetts include Radiologist ($426,560), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($392,300), Surgeon, All Other ($387,150), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Cook, Restaurant salary report
Related salaries
$35,320
median pay · 894,000 employed
$44,080
median pay · 1,223,000 employed
$35,880
median pay · 139,000 employed
$31,200
median pay · 3,854,000 employed
$35,840
median pay · 85,000 employed
$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.