Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Restaurant Cook Salary in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

In the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metropolitan area, restaurant cooks earned a median annual wage of $36,900 ($17.74/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $24,800/year and the 90th was $45,500/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Texas tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $31,829 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 103.1 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$36,900$17.74 per hour · $3,075 monthly
10th Percentile$24,800$11.92/hr base
25th Percentile$30,300$14.57/hr base
75th Percentile$39,300$18.89/hr base
90th Percentile$45,500$21.88/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

$36,900
$15,000$75,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$36,900
Net 86%
Fed 6%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$31,829After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,652Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,224Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate13.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,248 / yr
Texas state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,823 / yr

Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

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 Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (TX)
10th Percentile$11.92/hr$2,067$24,800$22,033
25th Percentile$14.57/hr$2,525$30,300$26,526
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$17.74/hr$3,075$36,900$31,829
75th Percentile$18.89/hr$3,275$39,300$33,758
90th Percentile$21.88/hr$3,792$45,500$38,739

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$36,900 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$90,275Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index103.13.1% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio40.9%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX?

The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX is $36,900, which equates to approximately $3,075 per month or $17.74 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX?

The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX is $17.74 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $11.92/hour and one in ten earned more than $21.88/hour.

What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX?

BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX span from $24,800 at the 10th percentile to $30,300 at the 25th, $39,300 at the 75th, and $45,500 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX?

On a median gross salary of $36,900, an estimated $31,829 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,224 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Texas in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,071 (an effective rate of 13.7%).

How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX?

On the median annual salary of $36,900, gross monthly income is $3,075. After federal, FICA, and Texas state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,652 per month (or $1,224 every two weeks).

Is $36,900 a good salary in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX?

At $36,900, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 40.9% of the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX median household income ($90,275). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 103.1, making regional consumer goods and services 3.1% more expensive than the U.S. average.