Wage Benchmark Overview
Median Annual Salary
$35,300$16.97 per hour · $2,942 monthlyRun the numbers on your own pay
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Take-Home Pay Explorer
Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.
| Earning Tier | Hourly Wage | Monthly Gross | Annual Gross | Est. Annual Net (TX) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $11.39/hr | $1,975 | $23,700 | $21,127 |
| 25th Percentile | $13.94/hr | $2,417 | $29,000 | $25,482 |
| Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark | $16.97/hr | $2,942 | $35,300 | $30,544 |
| 75th Percentile | $18.08/hr | $3,133 | $37,600 | $32,392 |
| 90th Percentile | $20.91/hr | $3,625 | $43,500 | $37,132 |
Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$35,300 measures up against local economic conditions:
Explore Related Salary & Regional Profiles
Compare restaurant cooks salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Texas:
Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?
The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX is $35,300, which equates to approximately $2,942 per month or $16.97 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.
What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?
The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX is $16.97 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $11.39/hour and one in ten earned more than $20.91/hour.
What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?
BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX span from $23,700 at the 10th percentile to $29,000 at the 25th, $37,600 at the 75th, and $43,500 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.
How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?
On a median gross salary of $35,300, an estimated $30,544 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,175 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Texas in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,756 (an effective rate of 13.5%).
How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?
On the median annual salary of $35,300, gross monthly income is $2,942. After federal, FICA, and Texas state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,545 per month (or $1,175 every two weeks).
Is $35,300 a good salary in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?
At $35,300, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 43% of the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX median household income ($82,168). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 98.6, making regional consumer goods and services 1.4% cheaper than the U.S. average.