Wage Benchmark Overview
Median Annual Salary
$35,400$17.02 per hour · $2,950 monthlyRun the numbers on your own pay
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Take-Home Pay Explorer
Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
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 (IA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $13.70/hr | $2,375 | $28,500 | $24,649 |
| 25th Percentile | $14.47/hr | $2,508 | $30,100 | $25,873 |
| Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark | $17.02/hr | $2,950 | $35,400 | $29,931 |
| 75th Percentile | $18.22/hr | $3,158 | $37,900 | $31,844 |
| 90th Percentile | $21.20/hr | $3,675 | $44,100 | $36,590 |
Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$35,400 measures up against local economic conditions:
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Compare restaurant cooks salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Iowa:
Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is $35,400, which equates to approximately $2,950 per month or $17.02 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.
What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is $17.02 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $13.70/hour and one in ten earned more than $21.20/hour.
What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA span from $28,500 at the 10th percentile to $30,100 at the 25th, $37,900 at the 75th, and $44,100 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.
How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
On a median gross salary of $35,400, an estimated $29,931 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,151 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Iowa in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,470 (an effective rate of 15.5%).
How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
On the median annual salary of $35,400, gross monthly income is $2,950. After federal, FICA, and Iowa state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,494 per month (or $1,151 every two weeks).
Is $35,400 a good salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
At $35,400, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 50% of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA median household income ($70,811). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 87.1, making regional consumer goods and services 12.9% cheaper than the U.S. average.