SOC 35-2015 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Short Order — Scranton
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA · 9 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Scranton, PA is $28,290 a year, trailing the national median of $35,880 by 21.2%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Scranton, PA is $28,290 a year, trailing the national median of $35,880 by 21.2%. Half of workers earn between $21,570 and $31,120. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $16,870 and the ninetieth at $36,080.
The area has 120 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.5 of every thousand jobs. Allentown leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $31,940. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 438th of 449 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $16,870 | −53.0% |
| 25th | $21,570 | −39.9% |
| Median (50th) | $28,290 | −21.2% |
| 75th | $31,120 | −13.3% |
| 90th | $36,080 | +0.6% |
| Mean | $26,970 | −24.8% |
Other metro areas in Pennsylvania
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Allentown | $31,940 | 160 | |
| 2 | Philadelphia | $31,360 | 1,340 | |
| 3 | Lancaster | $29,580 | — | |
| 4 | Harrisburg | $28,970 | 130 | |
| 5 | Chambersburg | $28,350 | — | |
| 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 Scranton run 2.4% below the national average, so the median of $28,290 goes as far as $28,986 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 19.2% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$28,290as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$28,986US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $28,290 a year, 21.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $16,870 to $36,080 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 120 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Allentown, at $31,940.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Short Order in Scranton, PA?
The median annual wage is $28,290, or $13.60 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 Scranton, PA is 21.2% 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 Scranton, PA earns more than $36,080 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $16,870 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.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 120 jobs in this occupation in Scranton, PA. 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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