Columbus, IN · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Restaurant Cook Salary in Columbus, IN

In the Columbus, IN metropolitan area, restaurant cooks earned a median annual wage of $35,000 ($16.83/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $25,900/year and the 90th was $44,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Indiana tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $29,300 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 93.0 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$35,000$16.83 per hour · $2,917 monthly
10th Percentile$25,900$12.45/hr base
25th Percentile$28,500$13.70/hr base
75th Percentile$37,500$18.03/hr base
90th Percentile$44,000$21.15/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

$35,000
$15,000$70,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$35,000
Net 84%
Fed 6%
IN 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$29,300After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,442Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,127Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,020 / yr
Indiana state income tax$1,003 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,678 / yr

Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Columbus, IN

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 Columbus, IN Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IN)
10th Percentile$12.45/hr$2,158$25,900$22,204
25th Percentile$13.70/hr$2,375$28,500$24,269
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$16.83/hr$2,917$35,000$29,300
75th Percentile$18.03/hr$3,125$37,500$31,235
90th Percentile$21.15/hr$3,667$44,000$36,266

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Columbus, IN

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$35,000 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$79,901Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index93.07% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio43.8%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Columbus, IN

What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Columbus, IN?

The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Columbus, IN is $35,000, which equates to approximately $2,917 per month or $16.83 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Columbus, IN?

The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Columbus, IN is $16.83 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $12.45/hour and one in ten earned more than $21.15/hour.

What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Columbus, IN?

BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Columbus, IN span from $25,900 at the 10th percentile to $28,500 at the 25th, $37,500 at the 75th, and $44,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Columbus, IN?

On a median gross salary of $35,000, an estimated $29,300 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,127 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Indiana in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,701 (an effective rate of 16.3%).

How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Columbus, IN?

On the median annual salary of $35,000, gross monthly income is $2,917. After federal, FICA, and Indiana state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,442 per month (or $1,127 every two weeks).

Is $35,000 a good salary in Columbus, IN?

At $35,000, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 43.8% of the Columbus, IN median household income ($79,901). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 93.0, making regional consumer goods and services 7% cheaper than the U.S. average.