How much does a grill cook make?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics groups this role under Cooks, Restaurant (SOC 35-2014). In its May 2025 wage survey, the national median was $17.98 an hour, or about $37,390 a year for full-time work, across roughly 1,409,890 people employed nationally. The middle of the market sits between $13.80 at the 10th percentile and $23.03 at the 90th.
Grill Cook pay in Boston
In the Boston-Cambridge-Newton metro area, the median for restaurant cooks was $22.03 an hour ($45,830a year), reflecting Massachusetts' higher minimum wage and cost of living.
What moves the number
Grill cook pay reflects the restaurant type, with steakhouses and higher-end concepts often paying more, along with local market rates and your experience with proteins. Skills in butchery, trimming, and fast service volume can raise your value. Some kitchens add tip share or bonuses.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. BLS figures for tipped roles may not capture all tip income. The BLS category is the closest official match for this role, not an exact one.
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