Wage Benchmark Overview
Median Annual Salary
$38,600$18.56 per hour · $3,217 monthlyRun the numbers on your own pay
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Take-Home Pay Explorer
Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in El Centro, CA
Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.
| Earning Tier | Hourly Wage | Monthly Gross | Annual Gross | Est. Annual Net (CA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $15.34/hr | $2,658 | $31,900 | $27,552 |
| 25th Percentile | $15.96/hr | $2,767 | $33,200 | $28,546 |
| Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark | $18.56/hr | $3,217 | $38,600 | $32,668 |
| 75th Percentile | $19.57/hr | $3,392 | $40,700 | $34,272 |
| 90th Percentile | $22.98/hr | $3,983 | $47,800 | $39,680 |
Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in El Centro, CA
A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$38,600 measures up against local economic conditions:
Explore Related Salary & Regional Profiles
Compare restaurant cooks salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in California:
Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in El Centro, CA
What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in El Centro, CA?
The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in El Centro, CA is $38,600, which equates to approximately $3,217 per month or $18.56 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.
What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in El Centro, CA?
The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in El Centro, CA is $18.56 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $15.34/hour and one in ten earned more than $22.98/hour.
What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in El Centro, CA?
BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in El Centro, CA span from $31,900 at the 10th percentile to $33,200 at the 25th, $40,700 at the 75th, and $47,800 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.
How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in El Centro, CA?
On a median gross salary of $38,600, an estimated $32,668 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,256 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,932 (an effective rate of 15.4%).
How much do restaurant cooks make per month in El Centro, CA?
On the median annual salary of $38,600, gross monthly income is $3,217. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,722 per month (or $1,256 every two weeks).
Is $38,600 a good salary in El Centro, CA?
At $38,600, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 66.9% of the El Centro, CA median household income ($57,681). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 95.2, making regional consumer goods and services 4.8% cheaper than the U.S. average.