Cooks, Restaurant pay in Trenton-Princeton
In Trenton-Princeton (NJ), the median pay for cooks, restaurant is $18.46 an hour ($38,400 a year). About 1,020 people work in this job there.
That is 3% higher than the U.S. median ($37,390). It is about the same as the New Jersey median ($38,460).
Pay range for cooks, restaurant in Trenton-Princeton (NJ)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $15.49 | $32,220 |
| 25% of workers | $17.41 | $36,210 |
| Half of workers (median) | $18.46 | $38,400 |
| 75% of workers | $21.39 | $44,490 |
| 90% of workers | $23.36 | $48,600 |
Cooks, Restaurant pay in New Jersey metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City-Hammonton | $40,250 | 3,370 |
| Trenton-Princeton (this page) | $38,400 | 1,020 |
| Vineland | $36,890 | 260 |
New Jersey unemployment rate: 4.3% (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 Trenton-Princeton (NJ)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Food Preparation Workers | $35,950 |
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.