Cooks, Restaurant salary in Medford, OR
Cooks, Restaurant in the Medford, OR metro area earn a median of $38,430 a year ($18.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 960 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,040 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $37,390. Pay here is 11% lower than the Oregon statewide median of $43,100. There are 11 cooks, restaurant per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $41,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, restaurant in Medford, OR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,960 | $16.33 |
| 25th percentile | $37,480 | $18.02 |
| Median | $38,430 | $18.48 |
| 75th percentile | $45,560 | $21.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,040 | $26.46 |
| Average (mean) | $41,180 | $19.80 |
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 | $3,202.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,601.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,478.08 |
| Weekly | $739.04 |
| Hourly | $18.48 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $38,430 salary, see how much house you can afford in Oregon 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $45,200 | 13,020 |
| Bend, OR | $44,540 | 1,530 |
| Salem, OR | $39,170 | 1,610 |
| Grants Pass, OR | $39,110 | 280 |
| Albany, OR | $38,780 | 380 |
| Corvallis, OR | $38,380 | 430 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $37,960 | 1,660 |
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 Oregon statewide figures.
Related jobs in Medford, OR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,440 | $17.04 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $42,450 | $20.41 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $38,010 | $18.27 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,140 | $16.41 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $50,440 | $24.25 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,230 | $21.75 |
| Bartender | $40,190 | $19.32 |
| Dishwasher | $35,340 | $16.99 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $32,800 | $15.77 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $35,850 | $17.24 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,490 | $16.58 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $64,700 | $31.11 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Medford, OR
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 Medford, OR?
The median salary for cooks, restaurant in the Medford, OR metro area is $38,430 a year, or $18.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, restaurant make in Medford, OR?
The top 10% of cooks, restaurant in the Medford, OR metro area earn at least $55,040 a year. The top 25% earn $45,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, restaurant in Medford, OR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,960 a year, and a quarter of cooks, restaurant earn $37,480 or less.
How many cooks, restaurant work in Medford, OR?
About 960 cooks, restaurant are employed in the Medford, OR metro area, not counting the self-employed.