Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Restaurant Cook Salary in Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL

In the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL metropolitan area, restaurant cooks earned a median annual wage of $36,600 ($17.60/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $29,400/year and the 90th was $46,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Florida tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $31,588 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 102.3 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$36,600$17.60 per hour · $3,050 monthly
10th Percentile$29,400$14.13/hr base
25th Percentile$34,700$16.68/hr base
75th Percentile$42,400$20.38/hr base
90th Percentile$46,000$22.12/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

$36,600
$15,000$75,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$36,600
Net 86%
Fed 6%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$31,588After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,632Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,215Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate13.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,212 / yr
Florida state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,800 / yr

Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL

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 Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (FL)
10th Percentile$14.13/hr$2,450$29,400$25,803
25th Percentile$16.68/hr$2,892$34,700$30,061
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$17.60/hr$3,050$36,600$31,588
75th Percentile$20.38/hr$3,533$42,400$36,248
90th Percentile$22.12/hr$3,833$46,000$39,141

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$36,600 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$76,107Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index102.32.3% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio48.1%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL

What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL?

The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL is $36,600, which equates to approximately $3,050 per month or $17.60 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL?

The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL is $17.60 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $14.13/hour and one in ten earned more than $22.12/hour.

What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL?

BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL span from $29,400 at the 10th percentile to $34,700 at the 25th, $42,400 at the 75th, and $46,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL?

On a median gross salary of $36,600, an estimated $31,588 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,215 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Florida in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,012 (an effective rate of 13.7%).

How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL?

On the median annual salary of $36,600, gross monthly income is $3,050. After federal, FICA, and Florida state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,632 per month (or $1,215 every two weeks).

Is $36,600 a good salary in Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL?

At $36,600, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 48.1% of the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL median household income ($76,107). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 102.3, making regional consumer goods and services 2.3% more expensive than the U.S. average.