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Waterbury-Shelton, CT · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Restaurant Cook Salary in Waterbury-Shelton, CT

In the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metropolitan area, restaurant cooks earned a median annual wage of $38,000 ($18.27/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $34,100/year and the 90th was $47,600/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Connecticut tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $31,683 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 99.8 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$38,000$18.27 per hour · $3,167 monthly
10th Percentile$34,100$16.39/hr base
25th Percentile$35,700$17.16/hr base
75th Percentile$44,300$21.30/hr base
90th Percentile$47,600$22.88/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 payWhat $38,000 a year leaves after tax in ConnecticutFederal tax, FICA and Connecticut withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$18 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $38,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $38,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation Connecticut publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about Connecticut.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$38,000
$15,000$80,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$38,000
Net 83%
Fed 6%
CT 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$31,683After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,640Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,219Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,380 / yr
Connecticut state income tax$1,031 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,907 / yr
Customize deductions in full Connecticut calculator

Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Waterbury-Shelton, CT

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 Waterbury-Shelton, CT Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CT)
10th Percentile$16.39/hr$2,842$34,100$28,828
25th Percentile$17.16/hr$2,975$35,700$30,009
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$18.27/hr$3,167$38,000$31,683
75th Percentile$21.30/hr$3,692$44,300$36,206
90th Percentile$22.88/hr$3,967$47,600$38,724

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Waterbury-Shelton, CT

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$38,000 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$86,191Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index99.80.2% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio44.1%of area median income

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

Compare markets

Cooks, Restaurant pay in other Connecticut metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Waterbury-Shelton, CT. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Waterbury-Shelton, CT

What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Waterbury-Shelton, CT?

The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Waterbury-Shelton, CT is $38,000, which equates to approximately $3,167 per month or $18.27 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Waterbury-Shelton, CT?

The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Waterbury-Shelton, CT is $18.27 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $16.39/hour and one in ten earned more than $22.88/hour.

What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Waterbury-Shelton, CT?

BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Waterbury-Shelton, CT span from $34,100 at the 10th percentile to $35,700 at the 25th, $44,300 at the 75th, and $47,600 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Waterbury-Shelton, CT?

On a median gross salary of $38,000, an estimated $31,683 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,219 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Connecticut in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,318 (an effective rate of 16.6%).

How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Waterbury-Shelton, CT?

On the median annual salary of $38,000, gross monthly income is $3,167. After federal, FICA, and Connecticut state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,640 per month (or $1,219 every two weeks).

Is $38,000 a good salary in Waterbury-Shelton, CT?

At $38,000, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 44.1% of the Waterbury-Shelton, CT median household income ($86,191). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 99.8, making regional consumer goods and services 0.2% cheaper than the U.S. average.