SOC 35-2015 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Short Order — Milwaukee
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI · 6 metro areas compared
In Milwaukee, WI the median wage is $28,130.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Milwaukee, WI the median wage is $28,130. That is 21.6% lower than the national median of $35,880. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $28,130 and $28,230. The lowest tenth earn under $28,130, while the highest tenth earn more than $39,080.
La Crosse leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $28,700. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 587th of 593 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,130 | −21.6% |
| 25th | $28,130 | −21.6% |
| Median (50th) | $28,130 | −21.6% |
| 75th | $28,230 | −21.3% |
| 90th | $39,080 | +8.9% |
| Mean | $30,170 | −15.9% |
Other metro areas in Wisconsin
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Milwaukee run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $28,130 goes as far as $29,894 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 16.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$28,130as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$29,894US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $28,130 a year, 21.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $28,130 to $39,080 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is La Crosse, at $28,700.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Short Order in Milwaukee, WI?
The median annual wage is $28,130, or $13.52 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 Milwaukee, WI is 21.6% 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 Milwaukee, WI earns more than $39,080 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $28,130 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 La Crosse, at $28,700 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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