Cooks, Short Order Salary in Worcester, MA
Cooks, Short Orders in Worcester, MA make a median of $42,480 a year, or about $20.42 an hour. The range runs from $31K at the entry level to $49K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.52), that's roughly $41,436 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,056/month — about 71% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $42K get you in Worcester?
About cooks, short orders
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Worcester, MA
Entry-level cooks, short orders (10th percentile) start around $31K. Mid-career wages sit at $42K.Top earners bring in $49K or more - a $17K spread from bottom to top.
Cooks, Short Order pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $46K | +30% | N/A |
| Washington | $46K | +29% | 1,610 |
| Massachusetts | $45K | +26% | 4,100 |
| Hawaii | $41K | +15% | 600 |
| Alaska | $40K | +12% | 390 |
| Vermont | $39K | +10% | 600 |
| California | $39K | +10% | 34,490 |
| Nevada | $39K | +9% | N/A |
| District of Columbia | $38K | +8% | N/A |
| New Mexico | $38K | +7% | 1,020 |
| Connecticut | $37K | +4% | 410 |
| New York | $37K | +3% | N/A |
| Illinois | $37K | +3% | 1,380 |
| Utah | $37K | +3% | 520 |
| Oregon | $36K | +0% | 3,240 |
Track cooks, short order salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Worcester numbers change.
Related careers in Food Service
Frequently asked questions
How much do cooks, short orders make in Worcester, MA?
The median is $42,480 a year - that works out to about $20.42 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $31,200, and experienced cooks, short orders can clear $48,600. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $42K enough to live in Worcester?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,837/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,056/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 72.5% 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, short order salary go in Worcester?
Worcester has a Regional Price Parity of 102.52 (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, short order salary is worth about $41,436 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do cooks, short orders 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.