New Jersey Median
$38,460
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.49
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+3% vs US median
US median $37,390
State Rank
#17 of 51
28,800 employed here
How much does a Cook, Restaurant make in New Jersey?
A Cook, Restaurant working in New Jersey earns a median salary of $38,460 per year, or about $18.49 per hour. That is 3% above the national median of $37,390 for this occupation.
Within New Jersey, entry-level pay starts around $32,220 while the top 10% make $50,010 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $35,880 and $45,600 a year.
Cook, Restaurant salary range in New Jersey
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,220 | $15.49 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $35,880 | $17.25 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $38,460 | $18.49 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $45,600 | $21.92 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,010 | $24.04 |
|
How New Jersey compares
New Jersey ranks 17th 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 $46,130Massachusetts $45,600Hawaii $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 $38,590Montana $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 New Jersey
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 New Jersey pay ($38,460) 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 New Jersey?
The median Cook, Restaurant salary in New Jersey is $38,460 per year, or about $18.49 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $32,220 at the entry level to $50,010 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Jersey pay compare to the national average?
New Jersey pays Cooks, Restaurant about 3% more than the national median of $37,390. New Jersey ranks 17th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Jersey a good state for Cooks, Restaurant?
Yes on pay — New Jersey pays above the national median for this occupation, at $38,460 a year. About 28,800 Cooks, Restaurant are employed in New Jersey. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New Jersey?
The highest-paying occupations in New Jersey include Radiologist ($482,700), Surgeon, All Other ($437,890), Physician, Pathologists ($355,970), 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.