Restaurant Cook Salary in Buffalo, NY
Updated
The median restaurant cook in the Buffalo area earns $38,060 a year ($18.30 an hour), 2% above the U.S. median ($37,390) and 13% below the New York State median ($43,680). Half of the 3,990 restaurant cooks there earn between $36,840 and $44,050.
Median $38,060
10th: $34,90090th: $46,390
| Annual pay | Buffalo area | New York State | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $34,900 | $34,490 | $28,700 |
| 25th percentile | $36,840 | $37,100 | $34,010 |
| Median | $38,060 | $43,680 | $37,390 |
| 75th percentile | $44,050 | $46,530 | $44,620 |
| 90th percentile | $46,390 | $54,240 | $47,900 |
| Average | $40,620 | $43,150 | $38,730 |
| Jobs | 3,990 | 71,530 | 1,409,890 |
Buffalo, NY ranks 20th of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas for restaurant cook pay. Highest: Seattle, WA ($47,730).
Paid less than $38,060? That gap, with its source, is the strongest line in a raise request. Check your pay for your level in 30 seconds. Free, no sign-up.
Check my payRestaurant cook pay in other cities
- New York, NY: $43,740
- Seattle, WA: $47,730
- San Jose, CA: $47,170
- San Diego, CA: $46,440
- San Francisco, CA: $46,030
- Boston, MA: $45,830
- Portland, OR: $45,200
- Los Angeles, CA: $44,460
- All cities
Similar jobs in Buffalo, NY
- Food Preparation Worker: $34,700
- Fast Food Worker: $34,560
- Waiter: $46,580
- Food Service Supervisor: $44,720
- Bartender: $46,920
- All jobs in Buffalo, NY
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, published May 15, 2026
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, www.bls.gov/oes. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov.