Average Cooks Salary in Cardiff / Caerdydd
ONS ASHE 2025 · Wales region · Updated October 2025
How Cardiff / Caerdydd compares
Looking at 2025 salary data, cookss in the Wales were paid a median of £17,717. The national equivalent stands at £17,885, putting this region 0.9% below. Factor in the Wales's cost of living (10.0% below the UK norm) and a £17,717 salary has the purchasing power of approximately £19,686. Compared to the Cardiff / Caerdydd average across all roles (£33,599), cookss take home 47.3% less.
Cost of Living Adjustment
After adjusting for the regional cost of living (Wales index: 90, UK=100), a salary of £17,717 has an effective purchasing power of approximately £19,686 — equivalent to earning that amount in an area with average UK costs. The cost of living in the Wales is 10.0% below the UK average.
Cooks salary across UK regions
Cooks salary in areas near Cardiff / Caerdydd
Salary data is by ONS region. Cardiff / Caerdydd is in the Wales region. Below are neighbouring regions — click to explore salaries there.
Cooks Salary Guide
The full salary guide includes regional breakdowns, cost-of-living adjustments, year-on-year trends, and in-depth FAQs.
Read the full Cooks salary guide →Find Cooks jobs in Cardiff / Caerdydd
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cooks salary in Cardiff / Caerdydd?
The median cooks salary in the Wales (which includes Cardiff / Caerdydd) is £17,717 per year, based on ONS ASHE 2025 data. The mean salary is typically higher due to top earners pulling the average up.
How does cooks pay in Cardiff / Caerdydd compare to the UK average?
Cooks in the Wales earn 0.9% below the national median of £17,885. Other regions such as London and the South East typically offer higher salaries for this role.
Is cooks a well-paid job in Cardiff / Caerdydd compared to other roles?
The average salary across all jobs in Cardiff / Caerdydd is £33,599. Cooks in the Wales earn £17,717, which is 47.3% below the local average across all occupations.
About this data
Salary figures for cookss cover the Wales region. The all-jobs average is specific to Cardiff / Caerdydd. Source: ONS ASHE 2025. Methodology.