Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Anchorage, AK
Cooks, Restaurants in Anchorage, AK make a median of $39,140 a year, or about $18.82 an hour. The range runs from $35K at the entry level to $46K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 105.42), so that salary is closer to $37,128 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,376/month — about 48.9% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $39K get you in Anchorage?
About cooks, restaurants
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Anchorage, AK
Entry-level cooks, restaurants (10th percentile) start around $35K. Mid-career wages sit at $39K.Top earners bring in $46K or more - a $10K spread from bottom to top.
Cooks, Restaurant pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $46K | +26% | 31,640 |
| District of Columbia | $45K | +23% | 8,020 |
| Washington | $45K | +22% | 34,790 |
| Maine | $45K | +22% | 4,920 |
| Hawaii | $45K | +21% | 12,190 |
| Vermont | $45K | +21% | 2,710 |
| California | $44K | +20% | 160,270 |
| New York | $40K | +8% | 62,430 |
| New Hampshire | $39K | +6% | 6,980 |
| Rhode Island | $39K | +6% | 6,490 |
| Alaska | $39K | +5% | 2,480 |
| Minnesota | $38K | +4% | 26,900 |
| New Jersey | $38K | +3% | 30,720 |
| Oregon | $38K | +3% | 18,970 |
| Connecticut | $38K | +3% | 13,940 |
Track cooks, restaurant salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Anchorage numbers change.
Related careers in Food Service
Frequently asked questions
How much do cooks, restaurants make in Anchorage, AK?
The median is $39,140 a year - that works out to about $18.82 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $35,080, and experienced cooks, restaurants can clear $45,520. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $39K enough to live in Anchorage?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,791/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,376/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 49.3% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a cooks, restaurant salary go in Anchorage?
Anchorage has a Regional Price Parity of 105.42 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median cooks, restaurant salary is worth about $37,128 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do cooks, restaurants get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.