Cook/Server Salary By State: Highest-Paid Cook/Servers by State [2026]
Research Summary: Through comprehensive analysis by the Zippia data science team, we present the current cook/server salary landscape across states in the United States as of 2026:
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Alaska remains the highest-paying state for cook/servers, with an average salary of $40,354.
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Alabama continues to have the lowest average salary for cook/servers at $21,185.
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The national average cook/server salary is $29,716.
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The national average hourly wage for cook/servers is $14.29.
For more details, view the specific methodology.
Background
Salary remains a top priority for job seekers, with many individuals asking, “How much do cook/servers earn in my area?” Understanding salary ranges can help you set realistic expectations for your earnings.
While there are multiple factors influencing your potential salary, recent data provides a clear view of average salaries for cook/server positions by state and seniority level. Although local averages may vary, these figures offer a valuable baseline for salary expectations.
As of 2026, Alaska holds the title for the best average salary for cook/servers.
Here’s a summary of the top ten states for cook/server salaries:
Let’s delve into the details and see a full ranking of all the states.
Highest-Paid Cook/Servers By State
| Rank | State | Average Cook/Server Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $40,354 | $35,000 | $45,000 |
| 2 | Washington | $36,560 | $29,000 | $45,000 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $35,142 | $28,000 | $43,000 |
| 4 | Oregon | $35,010 | $27,000 | $44,000 |
| 5 | North Dakota | $34,389 | $28,000 | $41,000 |
| 6 | California | $33,579 | $25,000 | $43,000 |
| 7 | Maine | $32,725 | $27,000 | $39,000 |
| 8 | Vermont | $32,530 | $26,000 | $39,000 |
| 9 | Minnesota | $32,483 | $25,000 | $40,000 |
| 10 | Connecticut | $32,338 | $25,000 | $40,000 |
| 11 | South Dakota | $32,228 | $25,000 | $40,000 |
| 12 | Wisconsin | $32,016 | $25,000 | $40,000 |
| 13 | New York | $31,528 | $24,000 | $40,000 |
| 14 | New Jersey | $31,317 | $24,000 | $40,000 |
| 15 | New Hampshire | $31,180 | $25,000 | $38,000 |
| 16 | Idaho | $30,376 | $23,000 | $38,000 |
| 17 | Montana | $29,791 | $24,000 | $36,000 |
| 18 | Illinois | $29,489 | $22,000 | $37,000 |
| 19 | Wyoming | $29,422 | $22,000 | $37,000 |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | $29,412 | $22,000 | $37,000 |
| 21 | Utah | $29,348 | $22,000 | $37,000 |
| 22 | Michigan | $29,211 | $22,000 | $37,000 |
| 23 | Maryland | $29,179 | $22,000 | $37,000 |
| 24 | Rhode Island | $28,860 | $22,000 | $36,000 |
| 25 | Nebraska | $27,595 | $21,000 | $35,000 |
| 26 | Colorado | $27,456 | $21,000 | $35,000 |
| 27 | Ohio | $27,269 | $21,000 | $35,000 |
| 28 | Nevada | $27,249 | $21,000 | $35,000 |
| 29 | Missouri | $27,014 | $20,000 | $34,000 |
| 30 | Arizona | $26,775 | $20,000 | $34,000 |
| 31 | Iowa | $26,623 | $20,000 | $34,000 |
| 32 | Indiana | $26,373 | $20,000 | $33,000 |
| 33 | Hawaii | $26,292 | $22,000 | $31,000 |
| 34 | Delaware | $25,825 | $19,000 | $33,000 |
| 35 | West Virginia | $25,138 | $19,000 | $32,000 |
| 36 | Virginia | $25,054 | $19,000 | $32,000 |
| 37 | Kentucky | $24,815 | $19,000 | $31,000 |
| 38 | New Mexico | $24,703 | $19,000 | $31,000 |
| 39 | Kansas | $24,494 | $18,000 | $31,000 |
| 40 | Texas | $24,426 | $18,000 | $31,000 |
| 41 | Arkansas | $24,275 | $18,000 | $31,000 |
| 42 | Oklahoma | $23,819 | $18,000 | $30,000 |
| 43 | Tennessee | $23,436 | $18,000 | $30,000 |
| 44 | Mississippi | $22,670 | $17,000 | $29,000 |
| 45 | Louisiana | $22,499 | $17,000 | $28,000 |
| 46 | South Carolina | $21,598 | $16,000 | $27,000 |
| 47 | Georgia | $21,590 | $16,000 | $27,000 |
| 48 | Florida | $21,404 | $16,000 | $27,000 |
| 49 | North Carolina | $21,377 | $16,000 | $27,000 |
| 50 | Alabama | $21,185 | $16,000 | $27,000 |
Methodology: Cook/Server Salary By State
To provide an accurate overview of cook/server salaries by state, Zippia has compiled data from various sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and job postings. Our data science team then calculates a weighted average to establish the average pay for cook/servers in each state.
We ranked states based on their average annual salary for cook/servers, identifying the state with the highest salary as Alaska.
Cook/Server Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for cook/servers?
The highest-paid state for cook/servers is Alaska, with an average salary of $40,354 per year.
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What city pays cook/servers the most?
Bellingham, WA, offers the highest average salary for cook/servers at $36,775 per year.
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What is the worst state for cook/servers?
The lowest-paying state for cook/servers is Alabama, with an average salary of $21,185 per year.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
