Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Minnesota

Cooks, restaurant in Minnesota earn the most in Minneapolis (average $41,850 a year) and the least in Duluth ($37,020), across the 5 Minnesota metro areas we cover. Statewide, BLS puts the cooks, restaurant average at $40,210 and the median at $38,590 for 26,080 workers. The U.S. average for this job is $38,730.

Cooks, Restaurant average salary by city in Minnesota

Minneapolis$41,850
Rochester$39,310
Mankato$37,700
St. Cloud$37,040
Duluth$37,020

Pay, take-home pay and cost of living

City	Average	Median	25th pct.	Take-home*	Cost of living
Minneapolis	$41,850	$39,640	$37,110	$34,386	105
Rochester	$39,310	$38,150	$36,480	$32,481	91
Mankato	$37,700	$37,190	$35,080	$31,274	91
St. Cloud	$37,040	$36,270	$34,080	$30,779	88
Duluth	$37,020	$36,680	$32,610	$30,764	89

*Average salary after federal and state taxes for a single filer; Minnesota Paid Leave premiums are not included. Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.

Cooks, Restaurant salary in other states

Cooks, Restaurant salary by city and state

More about pay in Minnesota

Sources and how to read this page

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 35-2014.
U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.

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