Cooks Restaurant Pay Range in Wisconsin
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$28,010
- 25th Percentile — Junior$31,240
- 50th Percentile — Median$36,550
- 75th Percentile — Senior$40,280
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$46,270
Half of Cooks Restaurant in Wisconsin earn more than $36,550. The top 10% make $46,270 or more, while entry-level workers start around $28,010.
Cooks Restaurant in Wisconsin: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Wisconsin ranks 33rd of 51 states for Cooks Restaurant pay, at $36,690 per year (5.3% below the U.S. average of $38,730).
- 25,410 people work as Cooks Restaurant in Wisconsin — 1.8% of all U.S. Cooks Restaurant jobs.
- Location quotient 0.95: Cooks Restaurant jobs are less concentrated in Wisconsin than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $28,010; the top 10% earn over $46,270.
- Hourly equivalent: $17.64 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Washington at $47,200.
- Among hospitality jobs in Wisconsin, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($64,210).
Cooks Restaurant Job Market in Wisconsin
Key factors affecting compensation
Wisconsin's key industries are Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture, and its job market is rated moderate. Cooks Restaurant here earn $36,690 on average, placing the state 33rd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.92 (U.S. = 1.00), a Wisconsin salary of $36,690 is roughly equivalent to $39,880 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Nebraska ($37,190), Idaho ($36,970), South Dakota ($36,720) are the closest alternatives for Cooks Restaurant weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Hospitality Jobs in Wisconsin
Related career salary benchmarks
- Chefs and Head Cooks $64,210/yr Wisconsin +75.0% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $43,660/yr Wisconsin +19.0% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $39,860/yr Wisconsin +8.6% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $34,570/yr Wisconsin 5.8% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $29,310/yr Wisconsin 20.1% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $29,110/yr Wisconsin 20.7% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $27,510/yr Wisconsin 25.0% vs this role
- Bartenders $26,970/yr Wisconsin 26.5% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Cooks Restaurant salary in Wisconsin?
The average Cooks Restaurant salary in Wisconsin is $36,690 per year (median $36,550), which is 5.3% below the national average of $38,730.
How does Wisconsin rank for Cooks Restaurant pay?
Wisconsin ranks 33rd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Washington ($47,200/yr).
How much do entry-level Cooks Restaurant make in Wisconsin?
The lowest-paid 10% of Cooks Restaurant in Wisconsin earn about $28,010 per year and the 25th percentile is $31,240.
How much do Cooks Restaurant make per hour in Wisconsin?
About $17.64 per hour, based on the $36,690 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Cooks Restaurant work in Wisconsin?
BLS counts 25,410 Cooks Restaurant jobs in Wisconsin (OEWS May 2025).
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