Wage Benchmark Overview
Median Annual Salary
$45,400$21.83 per hour · $3,783 monthlyRun the numbers on your own pay
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Take-Home Pay Explorer
Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
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 (CA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $18.03/hr | $3,125 | $37,500 | $31,829 |
| 25th Percentile | $18.75/hr | $3,250 | $39,000 | $32,974 |
| Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark | $21.83/hr | $3,783 | $45,400 | $37,860 |
| 75th Percentile | $22.98/hr | $3,983 | $47,800 | $39,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $27.02/hr | $4,683 | $56,200 | $45,925 |
Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$45,400 measures up against local economic conditions:
Explore Related Salary & Regional Profiles
Compare restaurant cooks salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in California:
Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA is $45,400, which equates to approximately $3,783 per month or $21.83 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.
What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA is $21.83 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $18.03/hour and one in ten earned more than $27.02/hour.
What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA span from $37,500 at the 10th percentile to $39,000 at the 25th, $47,800 at the 75th, and $56,200 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.
How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
On a median gross salary of $45,400, an estimated $37,860 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,456 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,540 (an effective rate of 16.6%).
How much do restaurant cooks make per month in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
On the median annual salary of $45,400, gross monthly income is $3,783. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,155 per month (or $1,456 every two weeks).
Is $45,400 a good salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
At $45,400, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 42.7% of the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA median household income ($106,268). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 111.9, making regional consumer goods and services 11.9% more expensive than the U.S. average.