Hello:

How much does an experienced line cook make per hour in your neck of the woods? How about a dishwasher? Does $10/hour sound good for the cook?

excon

My next door neighbor owns a restaurant - he says dishwasher, minimum wage.

Cook - depending on type of restaurant, starting at $15-$18/hour. He also added "Cooks often work off the books."

Keep in mind that I am in NY and jobs are, at best, few and far between. There are Attorneys here, admitted to the Bar, working as secretaries.

Guess I have to ask what type of restaurant

The mom and pop or a all you can eat.
Or of course fine dining with candles and table cloths where you will be doing special meals and may be a sous chief or a food prep person.

In larger cities they will make more, in smaller tows starting pay would be close to min wage. 10 dollars to start is not uncommon for smaller places here.