Battle Creek, MI · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Restaurant Cook Salary in Battle Creek, MI

In the Battle Creek, MI metropolitan area, restaurant cooks earned a median annual wage of $34,800 ($16.73/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $27,800/year and the 90th was $43,300/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Michigan tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $28,914 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 90.5 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$34,800$16.73 per hour · $2,900 monthly
10th Percentile$27,800$13.37/hr base
25th Percentile$32,700$15.72/hr base
75th Percentile$40,300$19.38/hr base
90th Percentile$43,300$20.82/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$34,800
$15,000$70,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$34,800
Net 83%
Fed 6%
MI 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$28,914After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,409Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,112Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,996 / yr
Michigan state income tax$1,228 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,662 / yr

Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Battle Creek, MI

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Cooks, Restaurant in the Battle Creek, MI Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (MI)
10th Percentile$13.37/hr$2,317$27,800$23,573
25th Percentile$15.72/hr$2,725$32,700$27,315
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$16.73/hr$2,900$34,800$28,914
75th Percentile$19.38/hr$3,358$40,300$33,099
90th Percentile$20.82/hr$3,608$43,300$35,382

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Battle Creek, MI

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$34,800 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$63,177Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index90.59.5% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio55.1%of area median income

Compare restaurant cooks salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Michigan:

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Battle Creek, MI

What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Battle Creek, MI?

The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Battle Creek, MI is $34,800, which equates to approximately $2,900 per month or $16.73 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Battle Creek, MI?

The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Battle Creek, MI is $16.73 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $13.37/hour and one in ten earned more than $20.82/hour.

What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Battle Creek, MI?

BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Battle Creek, MI span from $27,800 at the 10th percentile to $32,700 at the 25th, $40,300 at the 75th, and $43,300 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Battle Creek, MI?

On a median gross salary of $34,800, an estimated $28,914 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,112 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Michigan in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,886 (an effective rate of 16.9%).

How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Battle Creek, MI?

On the median annual salary of $34,800, gross monthly income is $2,900. After federal, FICA, and Michigan state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,409 per month (or $1,112 every two weeks).

Is $34,800 a good salary in Battle Creek, MI?

At $34,800, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 55.1% of the Battle Creek, MI median household income ($63,177). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 90.5, making regional consumer goods and services 9.5% cheaper than the U.S. average.