SOC 35-2015 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Short Order — Phoenix
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ · 2 metro areas compared
At $50,180 a year, the median wage for Cooks, Short Order in Phoenix, AZ sits 39.9% above the national figure of $35,880.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $50,180 a year, the median wage for Cooks, Short Order in Phoenix, AZ sits 39.9% above the national figure of $35,880. Half of workers earn between $40,850 and $50,180. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $32,550 and the ninetieth at $50,180.
Tucson leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $36,080. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 414th of 647 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $32,550 | −9.3% |
| 25th | $40,850 | +13.9% |
| Median (50th) | $50,180 | +39.9% |
| 75th | $50,180 | +39.9% |
| 90th | $50,180 | +39.9% |
| Mean | $45,480 | +26.8% |
Other metro areas in Arizona
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tucson | $36,080 | 260 | |
| 2 | Lake Havasu City | $34,830 | 80 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Phoenix sit close to the national average, so $50,180 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$50,180as reported by BLSLocal price level
100.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$49,831US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $50,180 a year, 39.9% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $32,550 to $50,180 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Tucson, at $36,080.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Short Order in Phoenix, AZ?
The median annual wage is $50,180, or $24.12 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 Phoenix, AZ is 39.9% higher. 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 Phoenix, AZ earns more than $50,180 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $32,550 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 Tucson, at $36,080 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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