Wage Benchmark Overview
Median Annual Salary
$44,100$21.20 per hour · $3,675 monthlyRun the numbers on your own pay
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Take-Home Pay Explorer
Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, 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 | $17.55/hr | $3,042 | $36,500 | $31,065 |
| 25th Percentile | $18.22/hr | $3,158 | $37,900 | $32,134 |
| Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark | $21.20/hr | $3,675 | $44,100 | $36,868 |
| 75th Percentile | $22.36/hr | $3,875 | $46,500 | $38,700 |
| 90th Percentile | $26.25/hr | $4,550 | $54,600 | $44,736 |
Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$44,100 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA is $44,100, which equates to approximately $3,675 per month or $21.20 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.
What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA is $21.20 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.55/hour and one in ten earned more than $26.25/hour.
What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA span from $36,500 at the 10th percentile to $37,900 at the 25th, $46,500 at the 75th, and $54,600 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.
How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
On a median gross salary of $44,100, an estimated $36,868 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,418 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,232 (an effective rate of 16.4%).
How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
On the median annual salary of $44,100, gross monthly income is $3,675. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,072 per month (or $1,418 every two weeks).
Is $44,100 a good salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
At $44,100, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 44.9% of the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA median household income ($98,161). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 108.8, making regional consumer goods and services 8.8% more expensive than the U.S. average.