Wage Benchmark Overview
Median Annual Salary
$44,800$21.54 per hour · $3,733 monthlyRun the numbers on your own pay
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Take-Home Pay Explorer
Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, 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 | $17.79/hr | $3,083 | $37,000 | $31,447 |
| 25th Percentile | $18.51/hr | $3,208 | $38,500 | $32,592 |
| Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark | $21.54/hr | $3,733 | $44,800 | $37,402 |
| 75th Percentile | $22.69/hr | $3,933 | $47,200 | $39,234 |
| 90th Percentile | $26.63/hr | $4,617 | $55,400 | $45,330 |
Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$44,800 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 Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $44,800, which equates to approximately $3,733 per month or $21.54 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.
What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $21.54 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.79/hour and one in ten earned more than $26.63/hour.
What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA span from $37,000 at the 10th percentile to $38,500 at the 25th, $47,200 at the 75th, and $55,400 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.
How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
On a median gross salary of $44,800, an estimated $37,402 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,439 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,398 (an effective rate of 16.5%).
How much do restaurant cooks make per month in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
On the median annual salary of $44,800, gross monthly income is $3,733. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,117 per month (or $1,439 every two weeks).
Is $44,800 a good salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
At $44,800, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 27.6% of the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA median household income ($162,111). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 110.4, making regional consumer goods and services 10.4% more expensive than the U.S. average.