Harrisonburg, VA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Restaurant Cook Salary in Harrisonburg, VA

In the Harrisonburg, VA metropolitan area, restaurant cooks earned a median annual wage of $34,500 ($16.59/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $27,500/year and the 90th was $42,900/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Virginia tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $28,731 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 94.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$34,500$16.59 per hour · $2,875 monthly
10th Percentile$27,500$13.22/hr base
25th Percentile$31,200$15.00/hr base
75th Percentile$40,300$19.38/hr base
90th Percentile$42,900$20.63/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

$34,500
$15,000$70,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$34,500
Net 83%
Fed 6%
VA 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$28,731After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,394Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,105Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,960 / yr
Virginia state income tax$1,170 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,639 / yr

Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Harrisonburg, VA

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 Harrisonburg, VA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (VA)
10th Percentile$13.22/hr$2,292$27,500$23,489
25th Percentile$15.00/hr$2,600$31,200$26,269
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$16.59/hr$2,875$34,500$28,731
75th Percentile$19.38/hr$3,358$40,300$33,058
90th Percentile$20.63/hr$3,575$42,900$34,998

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Harrisonburg, VA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$34,500 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$75,065Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index94.95.1% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio46%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Harrisonburg, VA

What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Harrisonburg, VA?

The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Harrisonburg, VA is $34,500, which equates to approximately $2,875 per month or $16.59 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Harrisonburg, VA?

The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Harrisonburg, VA is $16.59 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $13.22/hour and one in ten earned more than $20.63/hour.

What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Harrisonburg, VA?

BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Harrisonburg, VA span from $27,500 at the 10th percentile to $31,200 at the 25th, $40,300 at the 75th, and $42,900 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Harrisonburg, VA?

On a median gross salary of $34,500, an estimated $28,731 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,105 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Virginia in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,769 (an effective rate of 16.7%).

How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Harrisonburg, VA?

On the median annual salary of $34,500, gross monthly income is $2,875. After federal, FICA, and Virginia state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,394 per month (or $1,105 every two weeks).

Is $34,500 a good salary in Harrisonburg, VA?

At $34,500, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 46% of the Harrisonburg, VA median household income ($75,065). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 94.9, making regional consumer goods and services 5.1% cheaper than the U.S. average.