Memphis, TN-MS-AR · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Restaurant Cook Salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR

In the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metropolitan area, restaurant cooks earned a median annual wage of $32,000 ($15.38/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $27,600/year and the 90th was $39,400/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Arkansas tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $27,189 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 92.2 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$32,000$15.38 per hour · $2,667 monthly
10th Percentile$27,600$13.27/hr base
25th Percentile$30,200$14.52/hr base
75th Percentile$37,500$18.03/hr base
90th Percentile$39,400$18.94/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

$32,000
$15,000$65,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$32,000
Net 85%
Fed 5%
AR 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$27,189After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,266Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,046Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,660 / yr
Arkansas state income tax$703 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,448 / yr

Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Memphis, TN-MS-AR

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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (AR)
10th Percentile$13.27/hr$2,300$27,600$23,801
25th Percentile$14.52/hr$2,517$30,200$25,813
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$15.38/hr$2,667$32,000$27,189
75th Percentile$18.03/hr$3,125$37,500$31,394
90th Percentile$18.94/hr$3,283$39,400$32,847

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Memphis, TN-MS-AR

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$32,000 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$66,401Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index92.27.8% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio48.2%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Memphis, TN-MS-AR

What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?

The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Memphis, TN-MS-AR is $32,000, which equates to approximately $2,667 per month or $15.38 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?

The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Memphis, TN-MS-AR is $15.38 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $13.27/hour and one in ten earned more than $18.94/hour.

What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?

BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Memphis, TN-MS-AR span from $27,600 at the 10th percentile to $30,200 at the 25th, $37,500 at the 75th, and $39,400 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?

On a median gross salary of $32,000, an estimated $27,189 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,046 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Arkansas in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,811 (an effective rate of 15%).

How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?

On the median annual salary of $32,000, gross monthly income is $2,667. After federal, FICA, and Arkansas state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,266 per month (or $1,046 every two weeks).

Is $32,000 a good salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?

At $32,000, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 48.2% of the Memphis, TN-MS-AR median household income ($66,401). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 92.2, making regional consumer goods and services 7.8% cheaper than the U.S. average.