Cooks, Restaurant salary in Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT
Cooks, Restaurant in the Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT metro area earn a median of $43,400 a year ($20.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,970 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,240 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $37,390. Pay here is 10% higher than the Connecticut statewide median of $39,480. There are 9.8 cooks, restaurant per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $43,400, close to the median.
Pay range for cooks, restaurant in Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,390 | $17.50 |
| 25th percentile | $37,600 | $18.08 |
| Median | $43,400 | $20.87 |
| 75th percentile | $47,190 | $22.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,240 | $24.16 |
| Average (mean) | $43,400 | $20.87 |
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 | $3,616.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,808.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,669.23 |
| Weekly | $834.62 |
| Hourly | $20.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $43,400 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $39,150 | 4,900 |
| New Haven, CT | $39,100 | 2,350 |
| 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 Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation Worker | $37,820 | $18.18 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $47,380 | $22.78 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $35,810 | $17.22 |
| Cooks, All Other | $34,260 | $16.47 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $42,450 | $20.41 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $36,550 | $17.57 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $38,820 | $18.67 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $58,260 | $28.01 |
| Dishwasher | $36,850 | $17.72 |
| Bartender | $45,150 | $21.71 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $35,300 | $16.97 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $37,210 | $17.89 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $35,270 | $16.96 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $66,930 | $32.18 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, 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 Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT?
The median salary for cooks, restaurant in the Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT metro area is $43,400 a year, or $20.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, restaurant make in Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT?
The top 10% of cooks, restaurant in the Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT metro area earn at least $50,240 a year. The top 25% earn $47,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, restaurant in Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,390 a year, and a quarter of cooks, restaurant earn $37,600 or less.
How many cooks, restaurant work in Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT?
About 3,970 cooks, restaurant are employed in the Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT metro area, not counting the self-employed.