Cooks, Short Order salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Cooks, Short Order in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median of $28,130 a year ($13.52 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $28,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,080 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $35,880. Pay here is about the same as the Wisconsin statewide median of $28,130. The average (mean) salary is $30,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, short order in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,130 | $13.52 |
| 25th percentile | $28,130 | $13.52 |
| Median | $28,130 | $13.52 |
| 75th percentile | $28,230 | $13.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,080 | $18.79 |
| Average (mean) | $30,170 | $14.51 |
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 | $2,344.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,172.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,081.92 |
| Weekly | $540.96 |
| Hourly | $13.52 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $28,130 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cooks, Short Order salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $32,150 | 580 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $29,960 | 80 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $28,700 | 60 |
| Madison, WI | $28,650 | n/a |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $28,400 | 60 |
| Kenosha, WI | $27,790 | 50 |
| Green Bay, WI | $27,730 | 100 |
| Appleton, WI | $27,720 | 80 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,180 | $17.87 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,470 | $17.05 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $38,980 | $18.74 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,910 | $13.90 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,440 | $13.67 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $30,330 | $14.58 |
| Bartender | $25,970 | $12.49 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $40,080 | $19.27 |
| Dishwasher | $29,170 | $14.02 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,310 | $13.13 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,900 | $16.78 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,010 | $13.47 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $61,580 | $29.61 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $25,470 | $12.25 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The median salary for cooks, short order in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $28,130 a year, or $13.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, short order make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The top 10% of cooks, short order in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn at least $39,080 a year. The top 25% earn $28,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, short order in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,130 a year, and a quarter of cooks, short order earn $28,130 or less.