Sioux City, IA-NE-SD · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Restaurant Cook Salary in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD

In the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD 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 $28,300/year and the 90th was $43,800/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Iowa tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $29,701 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 86.5 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$35,100$16.88 per hour · $2,925 monthly
10th Percentile$28,300$13.61/hr base
25th Percentile$29,900$14.38/hr base
75th Percentile$37,600$18.08/hr base
90th Percentile$43,800$21.06/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 85%
Fed 6%
IA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$29,701After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,475Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,142Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,032 / yr
Iowa state income tax$682 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,685 / yr

Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD

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 Sioux City, IA-NE-SD Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IA)
10th Percentile$13.61/hr$2,358$28,300$24,491
25th Percentile$14.38/hr$2,492$29,900$25,720
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$16.88/hr$2,925$35,100$29,701
75th Percentile$18.08/hr$3,133$37,600$31,615
90th Percentile$21.06/hr$3,650$43,800$36,361

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD

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$75,192Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index86.513.5% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio46.7%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD

What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?

The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD 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 Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?

The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD is $16.88 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $13.61/hour and one in ten earned more than $21.06/hour.

What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?

BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD span from $28,300 at the 10th percentile to $29,900 at the 25th, $37,600 at the 75th, and $43,800 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?

On a median gross salary of $35,100, an estimated $29,701 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,142 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Iowa in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,399 (an effective rate of 15.4%).

How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?

On the median annual salary of $35,100, gross monthly income is $2,925. After federal, FICA, and Iowa state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,475 per month (or $1,142 every two weeks).

Is $35,100 a good salary in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?

At $35,100, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 46.7% of the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD median household income ($75,192). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 86.5, making regional consumer goods and services 13.5% cheaper than the U.S. average.