Cooks, Restaurant salary in New Haven, CT
Cooks, Restaurant in the New Haven, CT metro area earn a median of $39,100 a year ($18.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,350 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,420 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $37,390. Pay here is 1% lower than the Connecticut statewide median of $39,480. There are 8.4 cooks, restaurant per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $41,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, restaurant in New Haven, CT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,080 | $17.35 |
| 25th percentile | $36,920 | $17.75 |
| Median | $39,100 | $18.80 |
| 75th percentile | $45,450 | $21.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,420 | $23.76 |
| Average (mean) | $41,980 | $20.18 |
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 | $3,258.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,629.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,503.85 |
| Weekly | $751.92 |
| Hourly | $18.80 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $43,400 | 3,970 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $39,150 | 4,900 |
| Waterbury-Shelton, CT | $38,570 | 1,290 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | $38,180 | 1,670 |
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 Connecticut statewide figures.
Related jobs in New Haven, CT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,970 | $17.78 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $46,000 | $22.12 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $34,850 | $16.76 |
| Cooks, All Other | $39,670 | $19.07 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $35,290 | $16.97 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $37,900 | $18.22 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $53,200 | $25.58 |
| Bartender | $38,260 | $18.39 |
| Dishwasher | $35,470 | $17.05 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $34,020 | $16.36 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $35,940 | $17.28 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $34,210 | $16.45 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $66,700 | $32.07 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $36,640 | $17.62 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in New Haven, CT
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 New Haven, CT?
The median salary for cooks, restaurant in the New Haven, CT metro area is $39,100 a year, or $18.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, restaurant make in New Haven, CT?
The top 10% of cooks, restaurant in the New Haven, CT metro area earn at least $49,420 a year. The top 25% earn $45,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, restaurant in New Haven, CT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,080 a year, and a quarter of cooks, restaurant earn $36,920 or less.
How many cooks, restaurant work in New Haven, CT?
About 2,350 cooks, restaurant are employed in the New Haven, CT metro area, not counting the self-employed.