Richmond, VA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Restaurant Cook Salary in Richmond, VA

In the Richmond, VA metropolitan area, restaurant cooks earned a median annual wage of $35,600 ($17.12/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $28,400/year and the 90th was $44,300/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Virginia tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $29,552 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 97.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$35,600$17.12 per hour · $2,967 monthly
10th Percentile$28,400$13.65/hr base
25th Percentile$32,200$15.48/hr base
75th Percentile$41,600$20.00/hr base
90th Percentile$44,300$21.30/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

$35,600
$15,000$75,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$35,600
Net 83%
Fed 6%
VA 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$29,552After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,463Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,137Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,092 / yr
Virginia state income tax$1,233 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,723 / yr

Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Richmond, VA

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 Richmond, VA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (VA)
10th Percentile$13.65/hr$2,367$28,400$24,179
25th Percentile$15.48/hr$2,683$32,200$27,015
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$17.12/hr$2,967$35,600$29,552
75th Percentile$20.00/hr$3,467$41,600$34,028
90th Percentile$21.30/hr$3,692$44,300$36,042

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Richmond, VA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$35,600 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$86,679Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index97.92.1% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio41.1%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Richmond, VA

What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Richmond, VA?

The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Richmond, VA is $35,600, which equates to approximately $2,967 per month or $17.12 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Richmond, VA?

The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Richmond, VA is $17.12 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $13.65/hour and one in ten earned more than $21.30/hour.

What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Richmond, VA?

BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Richmond, VA span from $28,400 at the 10th percentile to $32,200 at the 25th, $41,600 at the 75th, and $44,300 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Richmond, VA?

On a median gross salary of $35,600, an estimated $29,552 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,137 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Virginia in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,048 (an effective rate of 17%).

How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Richmond, VA?

On the median annual salary of $35,600, gross monthly income is $2,967. After federal, FICA, and Virginia state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,463 per month (or $1,137 every two weeks).

Is $35,600 a good salary in Richmond, VA?

At $35,600, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 41.1% of the Richmond, VA median household income ($86,679). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 97.9, making regional consumer goods and services 2.1% cheaper than the U.S. average.