SOC 35-2014 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Restaurant — Southwest Minnesota
Southwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area · 5 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $36,120 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $37,390.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $36,120 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $37,390. Half of workers earn between $30,360 and $37,950. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $26,440 and the ninetieth at $44,060.
The area has 870 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.82 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Minneapolis leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $39,640. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 303rd of 331 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $26,440 | −29.3% |
| 25th | $30,360 | −18.8% |
| Median (50th) | $36,120 | −3.4% |
| 75th | $37,950 | +1.5% |
| 90th | $44,060 | +17.8% |
| Mean | $35,690 | −4.5% |
Other metro areas in Minnesota
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis | $39,640 | 17,760 | |
| 2 | Rochester | $38,150 | 1,060 | |
| 3 | Mankato | $37,190 | 510 | |
| 4 | Duluth | $36,680 | 1,460 | |
| 5 | St. Cloud | $36,270 | 780 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Southwest Minnesota sit close to the national average, so $36,120 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$36,120as reported by BLSLocal price level
98.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$36,633US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $36,120 a year, 3.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $26,440 to $44,060 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 870 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Minneapolis, at $39,640.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Restaurant in Southwest Minnesota, MN?
The median annual wage is $36,120, or $17.37 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $37,390, so pay in Southwest Minnesota, MN is 3.4% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Southwest Minnesota, MN earns more than $44,060 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $26,440 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Minneapolis, at $39,640 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 870 jobs in this occupation in Southwest Minnesota, MN. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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