Restaurant Cook Salary in Milwaukee, WI
Updated
The median restaurant cook in the Milwaukee area earns $37,180 a year ($17.88 an hour), 1% below the U.S. median ($37,390) and 2% above the Wisconsin median ($36,550). Half of the 7,220 restaurant cooks there earn between $31,840 and $42,580.
Median $37,180
10th: $29,72090th: $46,710
| Annual pay | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $29,720 | $28,010 | $28,700 |
| 25th percentile | $31,840 | $31,240 | $34,010 |
| Median | $37,180 | $36,550 | $37,390 |
| 75th percentile | $42,580 | $40,280 | $44,620 |
| 90th percentile | $46,710 | $46,270 | $47,900 |
| Average | $37,810 | $36,690 | $38,730 |
| Jobs | 7,220 | 25,410 | 1,409,890 |
Milwaukee, WI ranks 29th of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas for restaurant cook pay. Highest: Seattle, WA ($47,730).
Paid less than $37,180? 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
- 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
- Denver, CO: $44,370
- All cities
Similar jobs in Milwaukee, WI
- Food Preparation Worker: $35,470
- Fast Food Worker: $28,440
- Waiter: $30,330
- Food Service Supervisor: $40,080
- Bartender: $25,970
- All jobs in Milwaukee, WI
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.