Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Restaurant Cook Salary in Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL

In the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL metropolitan area, restaurant cooks earned a median annual wage of $34,700 ($16.68/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $27,900/year and the 90th was $43,600/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Florida tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $30,061 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 97.0 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$34,700$16.68 per hour · $2,892 monthly
10th Percentile$27,900$13.41/hr base
25th Percentile$32,900$15.82/hr base
75th Percentile$40,200$19.33/hr base
90th Percentile$43,600$20.96/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

$34,700
$15,000$70,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$34,700
Net 87%
Fed 6%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$30,061After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,505Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,156Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate13.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,984 / yr
Florida state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,655 / yr

Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, 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 Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (FL)
10th Percentile$13.41/hr$2,325$27,900$24,586
25th Percentile$15.82/hr$2,742$32,900$28,615
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$16.68/hr$2,892$34,700$30,061
75th Percentile$19.33/hr$3,350$40,200$34,481
90th Percentile$20.96/hr$3,633$43,600$37,213

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$34,700 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$81,993Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index97.03% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio42.3%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL

What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL?

The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL is $34,700, which equates to approximately $2,892 per month or $16.68 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL?

The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL is $16.68 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $13.41/hour and one in ten earned more than $20.96/hour.

What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL?

BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL span from $27,900 at the 10th percentile to $32,900 at the 25th, $40,200 at the 75th, and $43,600 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL?

On a median gross salary of $34,700, an estimated $30,061 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,156 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Florida in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,639 (an effective rate of 13.4%).

How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL?

On the median annual salary of $34,700, gross monthly income is $2,892. After federal, FICA, and Florida state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,505 per month (or $1,156 every two weeks).

Is $34,700 a good salary in Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL?

At $34,700, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 42.3% of the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL median household income ($81,993). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 97.0, making regional consumer goods and services 3% cheaper than the U.S. average.