Restaurant Cook Salary Overview in Oshkosh, WI
Careerclev's modeled 2026 benchmark places Restaurant Cook pay in Oshkosh, WI at about $41,808.0 per year. On the latest official BLS baseline for this market, the lower local range starts near $27,040.0, while the strongest-paid professionals can reach about $45,450.0.
Salary estimates are based on data from the Oshkosh-Neenah, Wi metropolitan area, which includes nearby cities such as Neenah.
If you’re comparing Restaurant Cook salaries in Oshkosh, WI, the real story isn’t just the headline number. Local employer mix, seniority, specialization, and whether the role is remote, hybrid, or onsite can push compensation well above or below the local median.
Oshkosh, WI vs. U.S. National Average
Oshkosh, WI pays +14% vs u.s. for Restaurant Cook roles. The difference is driven by local employer demand, industry mix, cost pressures, and how concentrated this role is in the underlying metro labor market.
| Market | Projected Salary | vs Oshkosh, WI | Market Maturity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oshkosh, WI (this guide) | $41,808.0 | Baseline | Local market |
| United States | $36,830.0 | -12% vs U.S. | National baseline |
| Madison, WI | $38,400.0 | -8% vs U.S. | Comparable city |
| Kenosha, WI | $37,570.0 | -10% vs U.S. | Comparable city |
| Milwaukee, WI | $37,540.0 | -10% vs U.S. | Comparable city |
Restaurant Cook Salary by Experience Level in Oshkosh, WI
Experience changes the local salary picture quickly because employers usually pay for independence, specialization, and broader scope, not just years on paper. In Oshkosh, WI, this breakdown shows how aRestaurant Cook can move from early-career pay into stronger bands as the role becomes more self-directed.
| Level | Experience | Projected Salary | Projected Range | Market Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level Restaurant Cook | 0-2 years | $34,991.0 | $30,670.0 - $41,808.0 | -5% vs U.S. |
| Mid-Level Restaurant Cook | 3-5 years | $41,808.0 | $34,991.0 - $43,804.0 | +14% vs U.S. |
| Senior Restaurant Cook | 6-10 years | $43,804.0 | $41,808.0 - $51,551.0 | +19% vs U.S. |
| Lead / Principal Restaurant Cook | 10+ years | $51,551.0 | $43,804.0 - $62,892.0 | +40% vs U.S. |
Best Salary Areas Near Oshkosh, WI
Nearby metro areas help show how Restaurant Cook pay changes around Oshkosh, WI. Each market reflects its own employer mix, local demand, and industry concentration, making these comparisons useful for candidates weighing their location options.
Restaurant Cook Salary by Industry in Oshkosh, WI
Industry premiums in Oshkosh, WI usually come from employers that place the Restaurant Cook role close to revenue, infrastructure, compliance, product delivery, or other high-value work. National industry data gives the best available benchmark until local industry slices are available.
| Industry | Modeled Salary | Reference Range | Signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $47,150.0 | $34,480.0 - $64,000.0 | Stronger salary |
| Construction | $42,460.0 | $22,350.0 - $63,130.0 | Stronger salary |
| Government, Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service | $42,050.0 | $33,550.0 - $48,750.0 | Stronger salary |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | $39,320.0 | $30,420.0 - $49,100.0 | Competitive |
| Real Estate, Rental, and Leasing | $38,680.0 | $31,410.0 - $48,330.0 | Competitive |
| Administrative, Support, Waste Management, and Remediation Services | $38,600.0 | $30,490.0 - $50,380.0 | Competitive |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | $37,520.0 | $29,260.0 - $48,610.0 | Competitive |
| Retail Trade | $37,470.0 | $25,640.0 - $48,980.0 | Competitive |
Entry-Level Restaurant Cook Salary in Oshkosh, WI
Entry-level Restaurant Cook jobs in Oshkosh, WI are modeled around the lower local wage percentiles. Candidates who can show practical projects, job-ready tools, and strong fundamentals usually have a better path into the middle of the local salary range.
For a broader starting-pay benchmark beyond this city market, see the entry-level Restaurant Cook salary guide.
Remote vs Onsite Restaurant Cook Pay in Oshkosh, WI
Remote work can widen the employer pool for Restaurant Cook candidates in Oshkosh, WI. Onsite and hybrid roles may still pay more when employers need local availability, local clients, regulated work, or team coverage.
| Work Type | Estimated Salary | Experience | Best Fit | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remote | $40,971.8 | Market dependent | National hiring pools | High |
| Hybrid | $42,644.2 | Metro dependent | Oshkosh, WI employers | Medium |
| Onsite | $41,808.0 | Location dependent | Local teams and operations | Lower |
Cost of Living vs Salary in Oshkosh, WI
A salary in Oshkosh, WI should be read alongside housing, commuting, tax, and everyday costs. The same annual pay can feel very different at entry, mid-level, and senior levels.
Top Employers Hiring Restaurant Cooks in Oshkosh, WI
Employer mix is one of the biggest city-level salary drivers. The industries below highlight where Restaurant Cook pay tends to be strongest in Oshkosh, WI, based on the sectors that create the most hiring demand for this role.
Oshkosh, WI Compared With Other U.S. Cities
This comparison is useful when one city salary number is not enough on its own. It shows whetherOshkosh, WI is genuinely a stronger-paying market for Restaurant Cook work or whether the local benchmark sits closer to the broader national middle.
Restaurant Cook Salary Trends in Oshkosh, WI Over Time
Historical salary trend data for Restaurant Cook in Oshkosh, WI is available across multiple BLS wage years. The chart below shows how the local salary benchmark has changed over time.
* 2024–2026 values are modeled estimates extending from the last confirmed BLS benchmark. The last confirmed BLS figure ($36.9K, 2024) is extended with recent wage trend history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available, then replaced when official data is published.
Career Growth Opportunities in Oshkosh, WI
Local career growth is strongest when it is read through both the city salary ladder and the broader national demand outlook. The city salary benchmark shows what this market currently pays, while the career path and BLS demand data show how that benchmark can expand with scope and responsibility.
| Metric | 2026 Outlook |
|---|---|
| Projected employment | 1,460.2k → 1,677.2k |
| Typical education | Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. |
| Related experience | Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. |
| Local market anchor | 670 jobs with a median of $41,808.0 |
Factors Affecting Restaurant Cook Salary in Oshkosh, WI
Local pay rarely moves for one reason alone. In city markets, the biggest differences usually come from employer concentration, industry mix, seniority, and whether the role is tied to business-critical work that is harder to staff.
How to Increase Your Restaurant Cook Salary in Oshkosh, WI
In city markets, salary growth often comes from better positioning as much as from patience. These moves are most useful when you already understand the local benchmark and want a clearer path beyond it.
Restaurant Cook Salary in Oshkosh, WI: FAQs
These questions usually come up after readers compare the city benchmark, the statewide picture, and the local experience ladder. They help clarify how to read the market and what matters most when you compare this city with other options.
These FAQs focus on how readers searching for "Restaurant Cook" usually compare local pay, employer mix, and market differences in this city.
What is the average Cooks, Restaurant salary?⌄
What is the entry-level Cooks, Restaurant salary?⌄
How much can senior Cooks, Restaurant professionals earn?⌄
Does location affect Cooks, Restaurant salary?⌄
Which skills matter for Cooks, Restaurant salary growth?⌄
Salary figures use BLS OEWS wage facts for 2024. City pages use the BLS metropolitan area as the salary dataset, display the largest city as the public page name, and model experience bands from local wage percentiles.