Cooks, Restaurant salary in Anchorage, AK
Cooks, Restaurant in the Anchorage, AK metro area earn a median of $40,140 a year ($19.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,340 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,080 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $37,390. Pay here is about the same as the Alaska statewide median of $40,140. There are 7.6 cooks, restaurant per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $41,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, restaurant in Anchorage, AK
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,320 | $17.46 |
| 25th percentile | $36,830 | $17.71 |
| Median | $40,140 | $19.30 |
| 75th percentile | $43,980 | $21.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,080 | $22.64 |
| Average (mean) | $41,860 | $20.12 |
Half of cooks, restaurant earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,345 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,672.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,543.85 |
| Weekly | $771.92 |
| Hourly | $19.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cooks, Restaurant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fairbanks-College, AK | $40,150 | 280 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, restaurant
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $46,800 |
| District of Columbia | $46,130 |
| Massachusetts | $45,600 |
| Hawaii | $45,420 |
| Vermont | $45,390 |
| Maine | $45,290 |
| California | $44,880 |
| New York | $43,680 |
| Oregon | $43,100 |
| Colorado | $41,600 |
See Cooks, Restaurant pay in every state or the Alaska statewide figures.
Related jobs in Anchorage, AK
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,760 | $16.71 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $33,960 | $16.33 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $48,290 | $23.21 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $37,660 | $18.11 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $33,280 | $16.00 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $26,080 | $12.54 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,920 | $22.08 |
| Bartender | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Dishwasher | $31,940 | $15.36 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,040 | $13.00 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $30,140 | $14.49 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $49,190 | $23.65 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $39,550 | $19.02 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Anchorage, AK
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2014. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cooks, restaurant make in Anchorage, AK?
The median salary for cooks, restaurant in the Anchorage, AK metro area is $40,140 a year, or $19.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, restaurant make in Anchorage, AK?
The top 10% of cooks, restaurant in the Anchorage, AK metro area earn at least $47,080 a year. The top 25% earn $43,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, restaurant in Anchorage, AK?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,320 a year, and a quarter of cooks, restaurant earn $36,830 or less.
How many cooks, restaurant work in Anchorage, AK?
About 1,340 cooks, restaurant are employed in the Anchorage, AK metro area, not counting the self-employed.