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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Restaurant Cook in Wisconsin is $35,542 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $17.
However, a Restaurant Cook's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Restaurant Cook Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $38,150 | $3,179 | $734 | $18 |
| Average | $35,542 | $2,962 | $684 | $17 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,699 | $2,642 | $610 | $15 |
Perkins - Northcott Hospitality - Green Bay, WI
Huddle House - Baraboo, WI
Perkins Restaurants - Manitowoc, WI
Huddle House - Livingston, WI
A Restaurant Cook's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Restaurant Cooks. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Restaurant Cook roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Healthcare sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Restaurant Cook positions in Transportation or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Restaurant Cook as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $44,428 | $21.0 | 25% |
| Healthcare | $42,651 | $21.0 | 20% |
| Internet | $42,651 | $21.0 | 20% |
| Software & Networking | $42,651 | $21.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $39,097 | $19.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Restaurant Cook's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $38,150 | $3,179 | $734 | $18 |
| Average | $35,542 | $2,962 | $684 | $17 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,699 | $2,642 | $610 | $15 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Restaurant Cook job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Perkins Restaurant & Bakery
Green Bay, WI
Perkins Restaurant & Bakery | Green Bay, WI
Join Our Team At Perkins Restaurant & Bakery. At Perkins Restaurant & Bakery our employees are part of the Perkins extended family and the families we serv... more
6 Days Ago
Brothers Bar & Grill
Milwaukee, WI
Brothers Bar & Grill | Milwaukee, WI
Brothers Bar & Grill, Milwaukee, WI. Immediate openings for line cooks and prep cooks. As a member of our kitchen team you will be responsible for providin... more
4 Days Ago
Kalahari Resorts & Conventions
Wisconsin Dells, WI
Kalahari Resorts & Conventions | Wisconsin Dells, WI
Restaurant Line Cook. Kalahari Resorts & Conventions is seeking a Restaurant Line Cook. In this role, you will be responsible for assisting the restaurant ... more
3 Days Ago
Ian's Pizza
Madison, WI
Ian's Pizza | Madison, WI
Job Description. Job Description. 18-$23/hour to cook up legendary NY-style pies in Madison, WI.We're hiring part-time and full-time cooks to start immedia... more
4 Days Ago
Ian's Pizza
Verona, WI
Ian's Pizza | Verona, WI
Job Description. Job Description. 18-$23/hour to cook up legendary NY-style pies in Madison, WI.We're hiring part-time and full-time cooks to start immedia... more
4 Days Ago
Village Hearthstone Restaurant
Hilbert, WI
Village Hearthstone Restaurant | Hilbert, WI
Job Description. Job Description. The Village Hearthstone is currently seeking kitchen staff to join our team. We offer excellent pay, flexible scheduling,... more
5 Days Ago
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