Cooks, Restaurant salary in Waterbury-Shelton, CT
Cooks, Restaurant in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area earn a median of $38,570 a year ($18.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,290 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,290 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $37,390. Pay here is 2% lower than the Connecticut statewide median of $39,480. There are 8.0 cooks, restaurant per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $40,750, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, restaurant in Waterbury-Shelton, CT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,750 | $16.71 |
| 25th percentile | $35,980 | $17.30 |
| Median | $38,570 | $18.54 |
| 75th percentile | $44,170 | $21.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,290 | $23.22 |
| Average (mean) | $40,750 | $19.59 |
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 | $3,214.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,607.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,483.46 |
| Weekly | $741.73 |
| Hourly | $18.54 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $38,570 salary, see how much house you can afford in Connecticut 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $43,400 | 3,970 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $39,150 | 4,900 |
| New Haven, CT | $39,100 | 2,350 |
| 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 Waterbury-Shelton, CT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,580 | $17.59 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $44,110 | $21.21 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $34,180 | $16.44 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $44,780 | $21.53 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,850 | $16.76 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,890 | $17.74 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $51,220 | $24.63 |
| Bartender | $37,290 | $17.93 |
| Dishwasher | $34,470 | $16.57 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $34,010 | $16.35 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,780 | $16.72 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $59,080 | $28.41 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $34,010 | $16.35 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $38,140 | $18.34 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Waterbury-Shelton, 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 Waterbury-Shelton, CT?
The median salary for cooks, restaurant in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area is $38,570 a year, or $18.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, restaurant make in Waterbury-Shelton, CT?
The top 10% of cooks, restaurant in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area earn at least $48,290 a year. The top 25% earn $44,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, restaurant in Waterbury-Shelton, CT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,750 a year, and a quarter of cooks, restaurant earn $35,980 or less.
How many cooks, restaurant work in Waterbury-Shelton, CT?
About 1,290 cooks, restaurant are employed in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area, not counting the self-employed.