Fond du Lac, WI · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Restaurant Cook Salary in Fond du Lac, WI

In the Fond du Lac, WI 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 $27,300/year and the 90th was $45,100/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Wisconsin tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $29,918 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 91.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$35,600$17.12 per hour · $2,967 monthly
10th Percentile$27,300$13.13/hr base
25th Percentile$30,400$14.62/hr base
75th Percentile$39,200$18.85/hr base
90th Percentile$45,100$21.68/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 84%
Fed 6%
WI 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$29,918After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,493Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,151Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,092 / yr
Wisconsin state income tax$867 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,723 / yr

Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Fond du Lac, WI

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 Fond du Lac, WI Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (WI)
10th Percentile$13.13/hr$2,275$27,300$23,619
25th Percentile$14.62/hr$2,533$30,400$25,996
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$17.12/hr$2,967$35,600$29,918
75th Percentile$18.85/hr$3,267$39,200$32,633
90th Percentile$21.68/hr$3,758$45,100$37,083

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Fond du Lac, WI

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$74,275Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index91.68.4% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio47.9%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Fond du Lac, WI

What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Fond du Lac, WI?

The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Fond du Lac, WI 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 Fond du Lac, WI?

The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Fond du Lac, WI is $17.12 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $13.13/hour and one in ten earned more than $21.68/hour.

What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Fond du Lac, WI?

BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Fond du Lac, WI span from $27,300 at the 10th percentile to $30,400 at the 25th, $39,200 at the 75th, and $45,100 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Fond du Lac, WI?

On a median gross salary of $35,600, an estimated $29,918 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,151 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Wisconsin in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,683 (an effective rate of 16%).

How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Fond du Lac, WI?

On the median annual salary of $35,600, gross monthly income is $2,967. After federal, FICA, and Wisconsin state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,493 per month (or $1,151 every two weeks).

Is $35,600 a good salary in Fond du Lac, WI?

At $35,600, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 47.9% of the Fond du Lac, WI median household income ($74,275). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 91.6, making regional consumer goods and services 8.4% cheaper than the U.S. average.