SOC 35-2015 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Short Order — Lancaster
Lancaster, PA · 9 metro areas compared
The median wage for Cooks, Short Order in Lancaster, PA is $29,580 per year, 17.6% below the national median of $35,880.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Cooks, Short Order in Lancaster, PA is $29,580 per year, 17.6% below the national median of $35,880. Half of workers earn between $21,840 and $36,440. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $17,400 and the ninetieth at $42,070.
Within the state, Allentown records the highest median at $31,940. Of the 433 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 420th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $17,400 | −51.5% |
| 25th | $21,840 | −39.1% |
| Median (50th) | $29,580 | −17.6% |
| 75th | $36,440 | +1.6% |
| 90th | $42,070 | +17.3% |
| Mean | $29,640 | −17.4% |
Other metro areas in Pennsylvania
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Allentown | $31,940 | 160 | |
| 2 | Philadelphia | $31,360 | 1,340 | |
| 3 | Harrisburg | $28,970 | 130 | |
| 4 | Chambersburg | $28,350 | — | |
| 5 | Scranton | $28,290 | 120 | |
| 6 | Williamsport | $25,490 | 50 | |
| 7 | Erie | $22,450 | 70 | |
| 8 | York | $22,160 | 120 | |
| 9 | Pittsburgh | $17,150 | — |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Lancaster run 2.4% below the national average, so the median of $29,580 goes as far as $30,307 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 15.5% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$29,580as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$30,307US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $29,580 a year, 17.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $17,400 to $42,070 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Allentown, at $31,940.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Short Order in Lancaster, PA?
The median annual wage is $29,580, or $14.22 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 $35,880, so pay in Lancaster, PA is 17.6% 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 Lancaster, PA earns more than $42,070 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $17,400 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 Allentown, at $31,940 per year.
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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