How much does a pizza 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.
Pizza 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
Pizza cook pay varies with the market, the kind of oven, and how much dough and prep knowledge you bring. Busy shops with delivery and late hours may pay more, and some include tips or tip pooling. Becoming a lead pizzaiolo or kitchen lead typically comes with a raise.
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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