Wage Benchmark Overview
Median Annual Salary
$37,700$18.13 per hour · $3,142 monthlyRun the numbers on your own pay
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Take-Home Pay Explorer
Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
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 (WI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $13.89/hr | $2,408 | $28,900 | $24,864 |
| 25th Percentile | $15.48/hr | $2,683 | $32,200 | $27,353 |
| Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark | $18.13/hr | $3,142 | $37,700 | $31,501 |
| 75th Percentile | $19.95/hr | $3,458 | $41,500 | $34,367 |
| 90th Percentile | $22.93/hr | $3,975 | $47,700 | $39,044 |
Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$37,700 measures up against local economic conditions:
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Compare restaurant cooks salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Wisconsin:
Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI is $37,700, which equates to approximately $3,142 per month or $18.13 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.
What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI is $18.13 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $13.89/hour and one in ten earned more than $22.93/hour.
What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI span from $28,900 at the 10th percentile to $32,200 at the 25th, $41,500 at the 75th, and $47,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.
How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
On a median gross salary of $37,700, an estimated $31,501 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,212 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Wisconsin in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,199 (an effective rate of 16.4%).
How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
On the median annual salary of $37,700, gross monthly income is $3,142. After federal, FICA, and Wisconsin state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,625 per month (or $1,212 every two weeks).
Is $37,700 a good salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
At $37,700, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 48.2% of the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI median household income ($78,218). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 96.9, making regional consumer goods and services 3.1% cheaper than the U.S. average.