salary$36,280 a year$17 an hour · median pay in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$29,210per year
Top pay (top 10%)$44,280per year
Jobs in the area8,380people work this job
Can a restaurant cook afford Chesapeake?
Expensive. Rent of $1,849 a month takes 61.2% 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 Chesapeake, VA?
The median pay for a restaurant cook in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC area is $36,280 a year ($17 an hour). Most earn between $29,210 and $44,280.
Can a restaurant cook afford to live in Chesapeake?
Typical rent of $1,849 a month takes 61.2% 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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area.