Wage Benchmark Overview
Median Annual Salary
$36,500$17.55 per hour · $3,042 monthlyRun 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
Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
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 (NJ) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $14.71/hr | $2,550 | $30,600 | $26,319 |
| 25th Percentile | $16.35/hr | $2,833 | $34,000 | $28,992 |
| Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark | $17.55/hr | $3,042 | $36,500 | $30,948 |
| 75th Percentile | $20.77/hr | $3,600 | $43,200 | $36,052 |
| 90th Percentile | $22.79/hr | $3,950 | $47,400 | $39,195 |
Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$36,500 measures up against local economic conditions:
Explore Related Salary & Regional Profiles
Compare restaurant cooks salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in New Jersey:
Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Trenton-Princeton, NJ is $36,500, which equates to approximately $3,042 per month or $17.55 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.
What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Trenton-Princeton, NJ is $17.55 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $14.71/hour and one in ten earned more than $22.79/hour.
What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Trenton-Princeton, NJ span from $30,600 at the 10th percentile to $34,000 at the 25th, $43,200 at the 75th, and $47,400 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.
How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
On a median gross salary of $36,500, an estimated $30,948 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,190 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in New Jersey in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,552 (an effective rate of 15.2%).
How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
On the median annual salary of $36,500, gross monthly income is $3,042. After federal, FICA, and New Jersey state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,579 per month (or $1,190 every two weeks).
Is $36,500 a good salary in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
At $36,500, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 36.3% of the Trenton-Princeton, NJ median household income ($100,645). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 103.2, making regional consumer goods and services 3.2% more expensive than the U.S. average.