Cooks, Restaurant salary in Fairbanks-College, AK
Cooks, Restaurant in the Fairbanks-College, AK metro area earn a median of $40,150 a year ($19.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,780 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 $42,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, restaurant in Fairbanks-College, AK
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,240 | $17.42 |
| 25th percentile | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| Median | $40,150 | $19.30 |
| 75th percentile | $44,060 | $21.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,780 | $21.53 |
| Average (mean) | $42,080 | $20.23 |
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 | $3,345.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,672.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,544.23 |
| Weekly | $772.12 |
| Hourly | $19.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $40,150 salary, see how much house you can afford in Alaska at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cooks, Restaurant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Anchorage, AK | $40,140 | 1,340 |
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 Fairbanks-College, AK
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,530 | $16.60 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $37,010 | $17.80 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $49,340 | $23.72 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $30,170 | $14.51 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $26,530 | $12.75 |
| Bartender | $31,840 | $15.31 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,730 | $21.99 |
| Dishwasher | $32,900 | $15.82 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $55,130 | $26.50 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,740 | $13.34 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $31,020 | $14.91 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Fairbanks-College, 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 Fairbanks-College, AK?
The median salary for cooks, restaurant in the Fairbanks-College, AK metro area is $40,150 a year, or $19.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, restaurant make in Fairbanks-College, AK?
The top 10% of cooks, restaurant in the Fairbanks-College, AK metro area earn at least $44,780 a year. The top 25% earn $44,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, restaurant in Fairbanks-College, AK?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,240 a year, and a quarter of cooks, restaurant earn $36,900 or less.
How many cooks, restaurant work in Fairbanks-College, AK?
About 280 cooks, restaurant are employed in the Fairbanks-College, AK metro area, not counting the self-employed.