What are the main factors that influence a Cook's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

What industry pays the highest salary for Cook?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Cook roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

How does experience change A Cook's salary?

A Cook's salary grows with experience: starting around $38,127 for beginners, reaching about $39,026 at mid-level, and approach $41,135 for experts.

What are the highest paying states for a Cook?

Cook salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Cook roles are District of Columbia $52,158, California $51,960, Massachusetts $51,268. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Cook roles make?

Salaries for Cook level roles vary by specialization: Pastry Cook: $72,195; Cook III: $42,447; Assistant Cook/Cook: $39,196; Cook - Institution: $37,964; Cook II: $37,680.

Cook Salary in Delaware

How much does a Cook make in Delaware?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cook in Delaware is $47,706 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $23.

However, a Cook's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

Top Earners (90th percentile): $59,291
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $43,069 to $53,770
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $38,847

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Cook Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$53,770	$4,481	$1,034	$26
Average	$47,706	$3,976	$917	$23
25th Percentile	$43,069	$3,589	$828	$21

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Check out Cook Job Openings in Delaware

Cook

McGlynns Pubs - Wilmington, DE

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Key Factors That Influence Cook Salaries

A 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.

How Experience Level Affects Cook Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Cook's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:

Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $38,127
Early Career (1-2 years): $38,427
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $39,026
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $39,919
Expert (over 8 years): $41,135

Levels	Salary
Entry Level Cook	$38,127
Intermediate Level Cook	$38,427
Senior Level Cook	$39,026
Specialist Level Cook	$39,919
Expert Level Cook	$41,135

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Cook Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Cooks. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $52,158.
California: $51,960.
Massachusetts: $51,268.

District of Columbia $52,158 California $51,960 Massachusetts $51,268 Washington $51,079 New Jersey $51,060 Alaska $50,995 Connecticut $50,344 New York $50,081

Hawaii $49,237 Rhode Island $48,842 Maryland $48,573 Minnesota $48,206 Colorado $48,064 Illinois $48,017 Oregon $47,838 Delaware $47,706

New Hampshire $47,623 Virginia $47,438 Pennsylvania $46,896 Nevada $46,623 North Dakota $46,533 Michigan $46,392 Wisconsin $46,340 Vermont $46,237

Texas $45,949 Maine $45,930 Arizona $45,902 Ohio $45,869 Georgia $45,436 Indiana $45,219 Wyoming $45,177 Utah $45,111

Iowa $45,082 Kansas $44,856 Louisiana $44,790 North Carolina $44,767 Missouri $44,757 Florida $44,574 Montana $44,475 Nebraska $44,381

Kentucky $44,329 South Carolina $44,140 Tennessee $44,023 Idaho $43,975 New Mexico $43,632 Oklahoma $43,556 Alabama $43,278 South Dakota $42,812

Arkansas $42,557 West Virginia $42,421 Mississippi $42,011

Top Paying Cities for Cooks

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:

Lincoln: $47,492
Little Creek: $47,839
Magnolia: $47,770

Lincoln, DE $47,492 Little Creek, DE $47,839 Magnolia, DE $47,770 Milford, DE $47,612 Marydel, DE $47,690 Millsboro, DE $47,292 Millville, DE $47,365 Milton, DE $47,447

Nassau, DE $47,482 Ocean View, DE $47,357 Rehoboth Beach, DE $47,448 Seaford, DE $47,475 Selbyville, DE $47,279 Smyrna, DE $47,872 Viola, DE $47,652 Woodside, DE $47,780

Bear, DE $47,670 Newark, DE $47,652 Claymont, DE $47,749 Delaware City, DE $47,699 Hockessin, DE $47,647 Kirkwood, DE $47,690 Middletown, DE $47,709 Montchanin, DE $47,658

New Castle, DE $47,665 Odessa, DE $47,732 Port Penn, DE $47,764 Rockland, DE $47,663 Saint Georges, DE $47,694 Townsend, DE $47,767 Winterthur, DE $47,669 Lewes, DE $47,466

Wilmington, DE $47,650 Dover, DE $47,839 Dover Afb, DE $47,587 Bethany Beach, DE $47,307 Bethel, DE $47,356 Bridgeville, DE $47,468 Camden Wyoming, DE $47,704 Cheswold, DE $47,824

Clayton, DE $47,825 Dagsboro, DE $47,274 Delmar, DE $47,199 Ellendale, DE $47,342 Felton, DE $47,608 Fenwick Island, DE $47,285 Frankford, DE $47,202 Frederica, DE $47,655

Georgetown, DE $47,256 Greenwood, DE $47,476 Harbeson, DE $47,307 Harrington, DE $47,548 Hartly, DE $47,696 Houston, DE $47,480 Kenton, DE $47,827 Laurel, DE $47,228

Yorklyn, DE $47,662

Cook Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Cook roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Cook positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Cook as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Cook

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals	$62,018	$30.0	30%
Software & Networking	$59,633	$29.0	25%
Construction	$57,248	$28.0	20%
Energy & Utilities	$54,862	$26.0	15%
Business Services	$52,477	$25.0	10%

Cook Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a 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.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

$43,069

Average $47,706/year

$53,770

$3,589

Average $3,976/month

$4,481

$828

Average $917/week

$1,034

$21

Average $23/hour

$26

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$53,770	$4,481	$1,034	$26
Average	$47,706	$3,976	$917	$23
25th Percentile	$43,069	$3,589	$828	$21

Salaries of jobs related to Cook

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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Cook job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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Job Description. Job Description. Cook needed. Basic Functions. The Cook is responsible for preparing and serving attractive, nutritionally balanced meals ... more

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Cook Salary in Delaware

How much does a Cook make in Delaware?

Key Factors That Influence Cook Salaries

How Experience Level Affects Cook Salaries?

How Do Cook Salaries Vary from State to State?

Top Paying Cities for Cooks

Cook Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

The top paying industries for a Cook

Cook Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Salaries of jobs related to Cook

Find Your Next Cook Job

Cost of Living In Delaware

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?