📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Restaurant Cook Salary in New York (2026)

New York · 38.0% above national average · High Demand

Average
$52,826
per year
Median
$48,686
per year
Hourly
$25.4
per hour
🏛️ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
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Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$35,783
25th Percentile — Junior$44,891
50th Percentile — Median$48,686
75th Percentile — Senior$65,384
90th Percentile — Top Earners$72,722
💡 Top-earning Restaurant Cooks in New York make up to $72,722 per year. The job market in New York is rated very strong, with key industries including Finance, Technology, Media.
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Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$45.6k
2021
$46.9k
2022
$48.3k
2023
$49.8k
2024
$51.3k
2025
$52.8k
2026
📈 Restaurant Cook salaries in New York have followed the national trend with 3.0% annual growth. The strong demand in New York's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Restaurant Cook Salary by City in New York
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
New York City $87,163 +65.0% High
Buffalo $48,600 -8.0% High
Yonkers $72,900 +38.0% High
🔍
Restaurant Cook Job Market in New York
Key factors affecting compensation

New York is home to a very strong job market for Restaurant Cooks. The state's key industries — Finance, Technology, Media — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $52,826 per year, New York's Restaurant Cook salaries are 38.0% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in New York (index: 1.38) justifies the higher pay scale. Entry-level professionals in New York can expect to earn $35,783–$44,891, while experienced Restaurant Cooks can command $65,384–$72,722.

Looking ahead, the Restaurant Cook profession in New York is projected to grow at 3.0% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Finance continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Restaurant Cook salary in New York is $52,826 per year in 2026, which is 38.0% above the national average of $38,280.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Restaurant Cooks the highest wages in New York due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • New York has a very strong job market with major industries in Finance, Technology, Media. This makes it one of the better states for Restaurant Cook employment.
  • At $52,826/year, New York Restaurant Cook salaries are 38.0% higher than the national average of $38,280/year.