Cook salary
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A cook earns a median of $37,690 a year ($18.12 an hour) in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The average is $39,150. About 19,350 people work in this job.
Take-home pay on $37,690
- Gross pay
- $1,449.62
- Federal income tax
- −$90.11
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$89.88
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$21.02
- Texas income tax
- $0.00No state income tax on wages
- Take-home pay
- $1,248.61
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $37,690
- Federal
- $2,343
- FICA
- $2,883
- State + local
- $0
- Net
- $32,464
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 0.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
Similar jobs
- Cook: $37,450
- Cook: $37,390
- Cook: $35,880
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker: $35,840
- Food Server: $35,360
- Food Preparation Worker: $35,320
- Waiter and Waitress: $35,230
- Dishwasher: $34,810
BLS occupation: Cooks, All Other. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 35-2019). Excludes the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour?
The median hourly wage is $18.12; the average is $18.82.
What is the salary range for a cook?
The bottom 10% earn under $27,040 and the top 10% earn over $51,140 a year.
How much is $37,690 after taxes?
About $32,464 a year in Texas (no state income tax) or $31,484 in California for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.