Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Buffalo, NY (2026)
Source: BLS OEWS · Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY · 3,990 employed
The average Cooks, Restaurant salary in Buffalo, NY is $39,990 per year. The middle 50% of Cooks, Restaurants earn between $36,500 and $43,740. Top earners in the 90th percentile make $47,920 or more. Entry-level positions typically start around $31,200. The median of $37,700 is above the mean, reflecting the wage distribution in this field.
Cooks, Restaurant Salary Breakdown in Buffalo, NY
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (Entry-level) | $31,200 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,500 |
| Median (50th Percentile) | $37,700 |
| Mean (Average) | $39,990 |
| 75th Percentile | $43,740 |
| 90th Percentile (Top earners) | $47,920 |
Related Jobs in Buffalo, NY
| Occupation | Mean Annual |
|---|---|
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $70,600 |
| Bartenders | $55,780 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $52,620 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $46,000 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $41,280 |
| Cooks, All Other | $39,730 |
Cooks, Restaurant Salaries in Other Cities
| City | Mean Annual |
|---|---|
| Kahului, HI | $53,460 |
| San Jose, CA | $50,190 |
| San Francisco, CA | $47,580 |
| Seattle, WA | $47,150 |
| Napa, CA | $47,070 |
| Portland, ME | $46,280 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $45,730 |
| Boston, MA | $45,720 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Cooks, Restaurant salary in Buffalo, NY?
The average Cooks, Restaurant salary in Buffalo, NY is $39,990 per year, according to BLS OEWS.
What is the median Cooks, Restaurant salary in Buffalo, NY?
The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in Buffalo, NY is $37,700 per year. Half of Cooks, Restaurants earn more than this and half earn less.
How much do entry-level Cooks, Restaurants make in Buffalo, NY?
Entry-level Cooks, Restaurants in Buffalo, NY typically earn around $31,200 per year (10th percentile). Workers in the 25th percentile earn about $36,500.
What do the highest-paid Cooks, Restaurants earn in Buffalo, NY?
The highest-paid Cooks, Restaurants in Buffalo, NY earn $47,920 or more per year (90th percentile). The 75th percentile wage is $43,740.
How many Cooks, Restaurants work in Buffalo, NY?
There are approximately 3,990 Cooks, Restaurants employed in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY area, per BLS OEWS.