Cooks, Restaurant salary in Maine
Cooks, Restaurant in Maine earn a median of $45,290 a year ($21.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,130 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,530 for the top 10%. That is 21% higher than the national median of $37,390. Maine ranks 6th of 51 states for cooks, restaurant pay. There are 8.0 cooks, restaurant per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $45,240, close to the median.
Pay range for cooks, restaurant in Maine
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,040 | $18.29 |
| 25th percentile | $39,800 | $19.13 |
| Median | $45,290 | $21.78 |
| 75th percentile | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,530 | $23.81 |
| Average (mean) | $45,240 | $21.75 |
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 | $3,774.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,887.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,741.92 |
| Weekly | $870.96 |
| Hourly | $21.78 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cooks, Restaurant salary in cities in Maine
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-South Portland, ME | $46,560 | 2,730 |
| Lewiston-Auburn, ME | $44,510 | 250 |
| Bangor, ME | $40,760 | 510 |
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 |
Related jobs in Maine
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,030 | $17.32 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $43,490 | $20.91 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $36,350 | $17.48 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $35,360 | $17.00 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,710 | $16.69 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $43,370 | $20.85 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $47,990 | $23.07 |
| Bartender | $48,920 | $23.52 |
| Dishwasher | $35,620 | $17.13 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $38,560 | $18.54 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $36,800 | $17.69 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $57,010 | $27.41 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $37,680 | $18.11 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Maine
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 Maine?
The median salary for cooks, restaurant in Maine is $45,290 a year, or $21.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, restaurant make in Maine?
The top 10% of cooks, restaurant in Maine earn at least $49,530 a year. The top 25% earn $47,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, restaurant in Maine?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,040 a year, and a quarter of cooks, restaurant earn $39,800 or less.
How many cooks, restaurant work in Maine?
About 5,130 cooks, restaurant are employed in Maine, not counting the self-employed.