Fresno, CA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Restaurant Cook Salary in Fresno, CA

In the Fresno, CA metropolitan area, restaurant cooks earned a median annual wage of $41,400 ($19.90/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $34,200/year and the 90th was $51,300/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and California tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $34,806 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 102.2 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$41,400$19.90 per hour · $3,450 monthly
10th Percentile$34,200$16.44/hr base
25th Percentile$35,600$17.12/hr base
75th Percentile$43,700$21.01/hr base
90th Percentile$51,300$24.66/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

$41,400
$15,000$85,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$41,400
Net 84%
Fed 7%
CA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$34,806After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,901Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,339Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,788 / yr
California state income tax$639 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,167 / yr

Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Fresno, CA

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 Fresno, CA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CA)
10th Percentile$16.44/hr$2,850$34,200$29,309
25th Percentile$17.12/hr$2,967$35,600$30,378
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$19.90/hr$3,450$41,400$34,806
75th Percentile$21.01/hr$3,642$43,700$36,562
90th Percentile$24.66/hr$4,275$51,300$42,282

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Fresno, CA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$41,400 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$74,468Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index102.22.2% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio55.6%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Fresno, CA

What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Fresno, CA?

The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Fresno, CA is $41,400, which equates to approximately $3,450 per month or $19.90 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Fresno, CA?

The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Fresno, CA is $19.90 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $16.44/hour and one in ten earned more than $24.66/hour.

What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Fresno, CA?

BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Fresno, CA span from $34,200 at the 10th percentile to $35,600 at the 25th, $43,700 at the 75th, and $51,300 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Fresno, CA?

On a median gross salary of $41,400, an estimated $34,806 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,339 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,594 (an effective rate of 15.9%).

How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Fresno, CA?

On the median annual salary of $41,400, gross monthly income is $3,450. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,901 per month (or $1,339 every two weeks).

Is $41,400 a good salary in Fresno, CA?

At $41,400, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 55.6% of the Fresno, CA median household income ($74,468). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 102.2, making regional consumer goods and services 2.2% more expensive than the U.S. average.