Cooks, Restaurant salary in Bismarck, ND
Cooks, Restaurant in the Bismarck, ND metro area earn a median of $36,610 a year ($17.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 770 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,650 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $37,390. Pay here is about the same as the North Dakota statewide median of $36,470. There are 11 cooks, restaurant per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $37,010, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, restaurant in Bismarck, ND
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,130 | $14.01 |
| 25th percentile | $31,090 | $14.95 |
| Median | $36,610 | $17.60 |
| 75th percentile | $38,380 | $18.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,650 | $21.95 |
| Average (mean) | $37,010 | $17.79 |
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 | $3,050.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,525.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,408.08 |
| Weekly | $704.04 |
| Hourly | $17.60 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fargo, ND-MN | $37,020 | 1,560 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $36,800 | 560 |
| Minot, ND | $36,390 | 380 |
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 North Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Bismarck, ND
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $38,310 | $18.42 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $37,270 | $17.92 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,940 | $14.40 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $32,310 | $15.53 |
| Bartender | $29,350 | $14.11 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,190 | $21.72 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $37,010 | $17.79 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,300 | $13.61 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $31,310 | $15.05 |
| Dishwasher | $32,180 | $15.47 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Bismarck, ND
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 Bismarck, ND?
The median salary for cooks, restaurant in the Bismarck, ND metro area is $36,610 a year, or $17.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,650 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, restaurant make in Bismarck, ND?
The top 10% of cooks, restaurant in the Bismarck, ND metro area earn at least $45,650 a year. The top 25% earn $38,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, restaurant in Bismarck, ND?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,130 a year, and a quarter of cooks, restaurant earn $31,090 or less.
How many cooks, restaurant work in Bismarck, ND?
About 770 cooks, restaurant are employed in the Bismarck, ND metro area, not counting the self-employed.