salary$45,830 a year$22 an hour · median pay in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$36,810per year
Top pay (top 10%)$58,690per year
Jobs in the area22,900people work this job
Can a restaurant cook afford Boston?
Expensive. Rent of $3,112 a month takes 81.5% of the median restaurant cook salary. That is over the 30% rule, so many people in this job share housing or need a second income.
Restaurant Cook pay in similar cities
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a restaurant cook make in Boston, MA?
The median pay for a restaurant cook in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH area is $45,830 a year ($22 an hour). Most earn between $36,810 and $58,690.
Can a restaurant cook afford to live in Boston?
Typical rent of $3,112 a month takes 81.5% of the median restaurant cook salary, which we rate Expensive.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area.