salary$43,740 a year$21 an hour · median pay in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$33,040per year
Top pay (top 10%)$54,240per year
Jobs in the area69,250people work this job
Can a restaurant cook afford New York?
Expensive. Rent of $2,806 a month takes 77.0% 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 New York, NY?
The median pay for a restaurant cook in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ area is $43,740 a year ($21 an hour). Most earn between $33,040 and $54,240.
Can a restaurant cook afford to live in New York?
Typical rent of $2,806 a month takes 77.0% 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 New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area.