Average Cooks Salary in Sunderland
ONS ASHE 2025 · North East region · Updated October 2025
How Sunderland compares
For cookss based in the North East, 2025 brought a median salary of £20,553. To put this in perspective, the UK average is £17,885 — making this 14.9% above the norm. Factor in the North East's cost of living (9.9% below the UK norm) and a £20,553 salary has the purchasing power of approximately £22,811. To put this alongside local pay more broadly: the average across all jobs in Sunderland is £28,214, so cookss sit 27.2% less that benchmark.
Cost of Living Adjustment
After adjusting for the regional cost of living (North East index: 90.1, UK=100), a salary of £20,553 has an effective purchasing power of approximately £22,811 — equivalent to earning that amount in an area with average UK costs. The cost of living in the North East is 9.9% below the UK average.
Cooks salary across UK regions
Cooks salary in areas near Sunderland
Salary data is by ONS region. Sunderland is in the North East 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 →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cooks salary in Sunderland?
The median cooks salary in the North East (which includes Sunderland) is £20,553 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 Sunderland compare to the UK average?
Cooks in the North East earn 14.9% above the national median of £17,885. This makes the North East one of the higher-paying regions for this role.
Is cooks a well-paid job in Sunderland compared to other roles?
The average salary across all jobs in Sunderland is £28,214. Cooks in the North East earn £20,553, which is 27.2% below the local average across all occupations.
About this data
Salary figures for cookss cover the North East region. The all-jobs average is specific to Sunderland. Source: ONS ASHE 2025. Methodology.