Tucson, AZ · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Restaurant Cook Salary in Tucson, AZ

In the Tucson, AZ metropolitan area, restaurant cooks earned a median annual wage of $37,200 ($17.88/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $32,000/year and the 90th was $44,500/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Arizona tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $31,534 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 96.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$37,200$17.88 per hour · $3,100 monthly
10th Percentile$32,000$15.38/hr base
25th Percentile$34,800$16.73/hr base
75th Percentile$43,200$20.77/hr base
90th Percentile$44,500$21.39/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

$37,200
$15,000$75,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$37,200
Net 85%
Fed 6%
AZ 1%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$31,534After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,628Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,213Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,284 / yr
Arizona state income tax$536 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,846 / yr

Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Tucson, AZ

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 Tucson, AZ Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (AZ)
10th Percentile$15.38/hr$2,667$32,000$27,486
25th Percentile$16.73/hr$2,900$34,800$29,666
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$17.88/hr$3,100$37,200$31,534
75th Percentile$20.77/hr$3,600$43,200$36,205
90th Percentile$21.39/hr$3,708$44,500$37,217

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Tucson, AZ

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$37,200 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$70,315Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index96.93.1% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio52.9%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Tucson, AZ

What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Tucson, AZ?

The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Tucson, AZ is $37,200, which equates to approximately $3,100 per month or $17.88 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Tucson, AZ?

The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Tucson, AZ is $17.88 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $15.38/hour and one in ten earned more than $21.39/hour.

What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Tucson, AZ?

BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Tucson, AZ span from $32,000 at the 10th percentile to $34,800 at the 25th, $43,200 at the 75th, and $44,500 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Tucson, AZ?

On a median gross salary of $37,200, an estimated $31,534 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,213 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Arizona in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,666 (an effective rate of 15.2%).

How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Tucson, AZ?

On the median annual salary of $37,200, gross monthly income is $3,100. After federal, FICA, and Arizona state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,628 per month (or $1,213 every two weeks).

Is $37,200 a good salary in Tucson, AZ?

At $37,200, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 52.9% of the Tucson, AZ median household income ($70,315). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 96.9, making regional consumer goods and services 3.1% cheaper than the U.S. average.