Cooks, Restaurant pay in Fargo

In Fargo (ND), the median pay for cooks, restaurant is $17.80 an hour ($37,020 a year). About 1,560 people work in this job there.

$17.80Median hourly pay
$33,970–$38,680Middle half of workers, yearly
1,560People in this job in Fargo (ND)

That is about the same as the U.S. median ($37,390). It is 2% higher than the North Dakota median ($36,470).

Pay range for cooks, restaurant in Fargo (ND)

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$13.90$28,900
25% of workers$16.33$33,970
Half of workers (median)$17.80$37,020
75% of workers$18.60$38,680
90% of workers$21.94$45,620

Cooks, Restaurant pay in North Dakota metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Fargo (this page)$37,0201,560
Grand Forks$36,800560
Bismarck$36,610770
Minot$36,390380

North Dakota unemployment rate: 2.2% (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)

Other job titles for this job

CookFRY CookGrill CookLine CookSpecialty CookPrep CookBack Line CookBanquet CookBreakfast CookForeign Food Specialty CookHotel CookLarder Cook

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Source: 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.