Cooks, Short Order salary in Lancaster, PA
Cooks, Short Order in the Lancaster, PA metro area earn a median of $29,580 a year ($14.22 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $17,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,070 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $35,880. Pay here is 49% higher than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $19,910. The average (mean) salary is $29,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, short order in Lancaster, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $17,400 | $8.36 |
| 25th percentile | $21,840 | $10.50 |
| Median | $29,580 | $14.22 |
| 75th percentile | $36,440 | $17.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $42,070 | $20.23 |
| Average (mean) | $29,640 | $14.25 |
Half of cooks, short order 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 | $2,465 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,232.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,137.69 |
| Weekly | $568.85 |
| Hourly | $14.22 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cooks, Short Order salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $31,940 | 160 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $31,360 | 1,340 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $28,970 | 130 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $28,350 | n/a |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $28,290 | 120 |
| Williamsport, PA | $25,490 | 50 |
| Erie, PA | $22,450 | 70 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $22,160 | 120 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $17,150 | n/a |
Highest-paying states for cooks, short order
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Arizona | $46,630 |
| Rhode Island | $46,250 |
| Massachusetts | $44,290 |
| Hawaii | $43,110 |
| California | $42,930 |
| Washington | $42,760 |
| Colorado | $42,450 |
| Connecticut | $42,450 |
| District of Columbia | $42,450 |
| New Jersey | $40,720 |
See Cooks, Short Order pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lancaster, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,500 | $17.55 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $37,040 | $17.81 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $31,580 | $15.19 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,260 | $13.11 |
| Cooks, All Other | $36,390 | $17.50 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,580 | $13.74 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $32,190 | $15.48 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $43,250 | $20.79 |
| Bartender | $28,280 | $13.59 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,660 | $14.74 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,520 | $14.19 |
| Dishwasher | $29,140 | $14.01 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,120 | $13.52 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $58,040 | $27.90 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Lancaster, PA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2015. 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, short order make in Lancaster, PA?
The median salary for cooks, short order in the Lancaster, PA metro area is $29,580 a year, or $14.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $17,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, short order make in Lancaster, PA?
The top 10% of cooks, short order in the Lancaster, PA metro area earn at least $42,070 a year. The top 25% earn $36,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, short order in Lancaster, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $17,400 a year, and a quarter of cooks, short order earn $21,840 or less.