Fargo, ND-MN · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Restaurant Cook Salary in Fargo, ND-MN

In the Fargo, ND-MN metropolitan area, restaurant cooks earned a median annual wage of $35,600 ($17.12/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $28,800/year and the 90th was $44,100/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Minnesota tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $29,699 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 90.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$35,600$17.12 per hour · $2,967 monthly
10th Percentile$28,800$13.85/hr base
25th Percentile$33,200$15.96/hr base
75th Percentile$41,800$20.10/hr base
90th Percentile$44,100$21.20/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

$35,600
$15,000$75,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$35,600
Net 83%
Fed 6%
MN 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$29,699After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,475Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,142Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,092 / yr
Minnesota state income tax$1,086 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,723 / yr

Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Fargo, ND-MN

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 Fargo, ND-MN Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (MN)
10th Percentile$13.85/hr$2,400$28,800$24,599
25th Percentile$15.96/hr$2,767$33,200$27,899
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$17.12/hr$2,967$35,600$29,699
75th Percentile$20.10/hr$3,483$41,800$34,349
90th Percentile$21.20/hr$3,675$44,100$36,074

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Fargo, ND-MN

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$35,600 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$76,756Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index90.99.1% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio46.4%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Fargo, ND-MN

What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Fargo, ND-MN?

The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Fargo, ND-MN is $35,600, which equates to approximately $2,967 per month or $17.12 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Fargo, ND-MN?

The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Fargo, ND-MN is $17.12 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $13.85/hour and one in ten earned more than $21.20/hour.

What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Fargo, ND-MN?

BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Fargo, ND-MN span from $28,800 at the 10th percentile to $33,200 at the 25th, $41,800 at the 75th, and $44,100 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Fargo, ND-MN?

On a median gross salary of $35,600, an estimated $29,699 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,142 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Minnesota in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,901 (an effective rate of 16.6%).

How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Fargo, ND-MN?

On the median annual salary of $35,600, gross monthly income is $2,967. After federal, FICA, and Minnesota state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,475 per month (or $1,142 every two weeks).

Is $35,600 a good salary in Fargo, ND-MN?

At $35,600, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 46.4% of the Fargo, ND-MN median household income ($76,756). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 90.9, making regional consumer goods and services 9.1% cheaper than the U.S. average.