Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Restaurant Cook Salary in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA

In the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metropolitan area, restaurant cooks earned a median annual wage of $35,100 ($16.88/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $21,700/year and the 90th was $43,300/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Pennsylvania tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $29,305 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 93.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$35,100$16.88 per hour · $2,925 monthly
10th Percentile$21,700$10.43/hr base
25th Percentile$28,700$13.80/hr base
75th Percentile$38,100$18.32/hr base
90th Percentile$43,300$20.82/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

$35,100
$15,000$75,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$35,100
Net 83%
Fed 6%
PA 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$29,305After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,442Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,127Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,032 / yr
Pennsylvania state income tax$1,078 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,685 / yr

Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA

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 Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (PA)
10th Percentile$10.43/hr$1,808$21,700$18,814
25th Percentile$13.80/hr$2,392$28,700$24,359
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$16.88/hr$2,925$35,100$29,305
75th Percentile$18.32/hr$3,175$38,100$31,624
90th Percentile$20.82/hr$3,608$43,300$35,642

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$35,100 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$65,158Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index93.66.4% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio53.9%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA

What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?

The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA is $35,100, which equates to approximately $2,925 per month or $16.88 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?

The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA is $16.88 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $10.43/hour and one in ten earned more than $20.82/hour.

What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?

BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA span from $21,700 at the 10th percentile to $28,700 at the 25th, $38,100 at the 75th, and $43,300 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?

On a median gross salary of $35,100, an estimated $29,305 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,127 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Pennsylvania in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,795 (an effective rate of 16.5%).

How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?

On the median annual salary of $35,100, gross monthly income is $2,925. After federal, FICA, and Pennsylvania state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,442 per month (or $1,127 every two weeks).

Is $35,100 a good salary in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?

At $35,100, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 53.9% of the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA median household income ($65,158). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 93.6, making regional consumer goods and services 6.4% cheaper than the U.S. average.