Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Restaurant Cook Salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI

In the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metropolitan area, restaurant cooks earned a median annual wage of $38,500 ($18.51/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $30,800/year and the 90th was $48,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Michigan tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $31,729 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 100.3 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$38,500$18.51 per hour · $3,208 monthly
10th Percentile$30,800$14.81/hr base
25th Percentile$36,200$17.40/hr base
75th Percentile$44,700$21.49/hr base
90th Percentile$48,000$23.08/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

$38,500
$15,000$80,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$38,500
Net 82%
Fed 6%
MI 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$31,729After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,644Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,220Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,440 / yr
Michigan state income tax$1,386 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,945 / yr

Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, 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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (MI)
10th Percentile$14.81/hr$2,567$30,800$25,870
25th Percentile$17.40/hr$3,017$36,200$29,979
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$18.51/hr$3,208$38,500$31,729
75th Percentile$21.49/hr$3,725$44,700$36,447
90th Percentile$23.08/hr$4,000$48,000$38,959

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$38,500 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$76,664Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index100.30.3% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio50.2%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI

What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?

The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI is $38,500, which equates to approximately $3,208 per month or $18.51 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?

The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI is $18.51 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $14.81/hour and one in ten earned more than $23.08/hour.

What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?

BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI span from $30,800 at the 10th percentile to $36,200 at the 25th, $44,700 at the 75th, and $48,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?

On a median gross salary of $38,500, an estimated $31,729 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,220 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Michigan in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,771 (an effective rate of 17.6%).

How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?

On the median annual salary of $38,500, gross monthly income is $3,208. After federal, FICA, and Michigan state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,644 per month (or $1,220 every two weeks).

Is $38,500 a good salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?

At $38,500, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 50.2% of the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI median household income ($76,664). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 100.3, making regional consumer goods and services 0.3% more expensive than the U.S. average.