Cook salary in New Jersey
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A cook in New Jersey earns a median of $32,220 a year ($15.49/hour equivalent), 4.3% above the national median of $30,890. New Jersey ranks #20 of 51 states. About 3,440 people do this job in New Jersey.
Take-home pay in New Jersey
At the New Jersey median, a single filer keeps about $27,320 a year after federal, FICA and New Jersey taxes — $1,051 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the New Jersey paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $1,239.23
- Federal income tax
- −$64.86
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$76.83
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$17.97
- New Jersey income tax
- −$18.32
- NJ Unemployment Insurance
- −$4.74
- NJ Workforce Development / Supplemental Workforce
- −$0.53
- NJ Temporary Disability Insurance
- −$2.35
- NJ Family Leave Insurance
- −$2.85
- Take-home pay
- $1,050.78
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $32,220
- Federal
- $1,686
- FICA
- $2,465
- State + local
- $749
- Net
- $27,320
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 1.8%
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.
How New Jersey compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Hawaii | $48,120 |
| #2 | District of Columbia | $44,670 |
| #3 | California | $42,050 |
| #4 | Washington | $39,120 |
| #5 | New Hampshire | $38,590 |
| #20 | New Jersey | $32,220 |
| #49 | Kentucky | $23,500 |
| #50 | West Virginia | $23,120 |
| #51 | Mississippi | $22,670 |
See the national cook salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Cooks, Fast Food (SOC 35-2011), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make in New Jersey?
The median salary is $32,220 a year and the average is $35,240 (BLS May 2025).
Is New Jersey a good state for cooks?
New Jersey ranks #20 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 4% above the national median of $30,890.
What is $32,220 after taxes in New Jersey?
About $27,320 a year ($1,051 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.