Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Restaurant Cook Salary in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA

In the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA metropolitan area, restaurant cooks earned a median annual wage of $45,300 ($21.78/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $36,800/year and the 90th was $56,100/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Washington tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $38,579 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 103.7 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$45,300$21.78 per hour · $3,775 monthly
10th Percentile$36,800$17.69/hr base
25th Percentile$41,400$19.90/hr base
75th Percentile$48,000$23.08/hr base
90th Percentile$56,100$26.97/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

$45,300
$15,000$95,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$45,300
Net 85%
Fed 7%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$38,579After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,215Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,484Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,256 / yr
Washington state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,465 / yr

Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA

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 Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (WA)
10th Percentile$17.69/hr$3,067$36,800$31,749
25th Percentile$19.90/hr$3,450$41,400$35,445
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$21.78/hr$3,775$45,300$38,579
75th Percentile$23.08/hr$4,000$48,000$40,748
90th Percentile$26.97/hr$4,675$56,100$47,256

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$45,300 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$96,563Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index103.73.7% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio46.9%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA

What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA?

The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA is $45,300, which equates to approximately $3,775 per month or $21.78 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA?

The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA is $21.78 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.69/hour and one in ten earned more than $26.97/hour.

What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA?

BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA span from $36,800 at the 10th percentile to $41,400 at the 25th, $48,000 at the 75th, and $56,100 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA?

On a median gross salary of $45,300, an estimated $38,579 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,484 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Washington in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,721 (an effective rate of 14.8%).

How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA?

On the median annual salary of $45,300, gross monthly income is $3,775. After federal, FICA, and Washington state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,215 per month (or $1,484 every two weeks).

Is $45,300 a good salary in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA?

At $45,300, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 46.9% of the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA median household income ($96,563). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 103.7, making regional consumer goods and services 3.7% more expensive than the U.S. average.