Cooks, Restaurant pay in Portland-South Portland
In Portland-South Portland (ME), the median pay for cooks, restaurant is $22.39 an hour ($46,560 a year). About 2,730 people work in this job there.
That is 25% higher than the U.S. median ($37,390). It is 3% higher than the Maine median ($45,290).
Pay range for cooks, restaurant in Portland-South Portland (ME)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $18.54 | $38,570 |
| 25% of workers | $20.41 | $42,450 |
| Half of workers (median) | $22.39 | $46,560 |
| 75% of workers | $23.40 | $48,660 |
| 90% of workers | $26.36 | $54,830 |
Cooks, Restaurant pay in Maine metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-South Portland (this page) | $46,560 | 2,730 |
| Lewiston-Auburn | $44,510 | 250 |
| Bangor | $40,760 | 510 |
Maine unemployment rate: 3.2% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for cooks, restaurant
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 3 to 6 months (O*NET)
- Experience usually needed to start: Less than 5 years (BLS)
- Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +12.1% over ten years, much faster than average · about 218,600 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Portland-South Portland (ME)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Food Preparation Workers | $37,260 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.