Erie, PA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Restaurant Cook Salary in Erie, PA

In the Erie, PA metropolitan area, restaurant cooks earned a median annual wage of $34,100 ($16.39/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $21,100/year and the 90th was $42,100/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Pennsylvania tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $28,532 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 91.0 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$34,100$16.39 per hour · $2,842 monthly
10th Percentile$21,100$10.14/hr base
25th Percentile$27,900$13.41/hr base
75th Percentile$37,000$17.79/hr base
90th Percentile$42,100$20.24/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

$34,100
$15,000$70,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$34,100
Net 84%
Fed 6%
PA 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$28,532After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,378Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,097Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,912 / yr
Pennsylvania state income tax$1,047 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,609 / yr

Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Erie, PA

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 Erie, PA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (PA)
10th Percentile$10.14/hr$1,758$21,100$18,338
25th Percentile$13.41/hr$2,325$27,900$23,729
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$16.39/hr$2,842$34,100$28,532
75th Percentile$17.79/hr$3,083$37,000$30,774
90th Percentile$20.24/hr$3,508$42,100$34,715

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Erie, PA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$34,100 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$63,354Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index91.09% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio53.8%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Erie, PA

What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Erie, PA?

The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Erie, PA is $34,100, which equates to approximately $2,842 per month or $16.39 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Erie, PA?

The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Erie, PA is $16.39 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $10.14/hour and one in ten earned more than $20.24/hour.

What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Erie, PA?

BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Erie, PA span from $21,100 at the 10th percentile to $27,900 at the 25th, $37,000 at the 75th, and $42,100 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Erie, PA?

On a median gross salary of $34,100, an estimated $28,532 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,097 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Pennsylvania in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,568 (an effective rate of 16.3%).

How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Erie, PA?

On the median annual salary of $34,100, gross monthly income is $2,842. After federal, FICA, and Pennsylvania state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,378 per month (or $1,097 every two weeks).

Is $34,100 a good salary in Erie, PA?

At $34,100, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 53.8% of the Erie, PA median household income ($63,354). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 91.0, making regional consumer goods and services 9% cheaper than the U.S. average.