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Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Restaurant Cook Salary in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN

In the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metropolitan area, restaurant cooks earned a median annual wage of $36,100 ($17.36/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $26,700/year and the 90th was $45,300/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Indiana tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $30,151 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 95.7 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$36,100$17.36 per hour · $3,008 monthly
10th Percentile$26,700$12.84/hr base
25th Percentile$29,400$14.13/hr base
75th Percentile$38,500$18.51/hr base
90th Percentile$45,300$21.78/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 payWhat $36,000 a year leaves after tax in IndianaFederal tax, FICA and Indiana withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$17 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $36,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $36,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation Indiana publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about Indiana.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$36,100
$15,000$75,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$36,100
Net 84%
Fed 6%
IN 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$30,151After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,513Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,160Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,152 / yr
Indiana state income tax$1,035 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,762 / yr
Customize deductions in full Indiana calculator

Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN

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 Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IN)
10th Percentile$12.84/hr$2,225$26,700$22,839
25th Percentile$14.13/hr$2,450$29,400$24,965
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$17.36/hr$3,008$36,100$30,151
75th Percentile$18.51/hr$3,208$38,500$32,009
90th Percentile$21.78/hr$3,775$45,300$37,272

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$36,100 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$79,852Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index95.74.3% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio45.2%of area median income

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

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Cooks, Restaurant pay in other Indiana metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN

What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?

The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN is $36,100, which equates to approximately $3,008 per month or $17.36 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?

The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN is $17.36 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $12.84/hour and one in ten earned more than $21.78/hour.

What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?

BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN span from $26,700 at the 10th percentile to $29,400 at the 25th, $38,500 at the 75th, and $45,300 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?

On a median gross salary of $36,100, an estimated $30,151 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,160 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Indiana in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,949 (an effective rate of 16.5%).

How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?

On the median annual salary of $36,100, gross monthly income is $3,008. After federal, FICA, and Indiana state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,513 per month (or $1,160 every two weeks).

Is $36,100 a good salary in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?

At $36,100, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 45.2% of the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN median household income ($79,852). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 95.7, making regional consumer goods and services 4.3% cheaper than the U.S. average.