Restaurant cook salary after taxes, by state
Median pay for restaurant cooks and what's left after 2026 taxes. Of the states we cover, Washington leaves the most: about $39,135 a year.
| State | Median gross | Take-home / year | Per month | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $46,800 | $39,135 | $3,261 | 35,140 |
| California | $44,880 | $36,802 | $3,067 | 152,250 |
| Massachusetts | $45,600 | $36,650 | $3,054 | 29,570 |
| New York | $43,680 | $35,262 | $2,939 | 71,530 |
| New Hampshire | $40,200 | $34,481 | $2,873 | 7,190 |
| Alaska | $40,140 | $34,432 | $2,869 | 2,350 |
| Nevada | $38,610 | $33,203 | $2,767 | 27,250 |
| New Jersey | $38,460 | $32,062 | $2,672 | 28,800 |
| Florida | $37,020 | $31,926 | $2,660 | 124,040 |
| Wyoming | $36,830 | $31,773 | $2,648 | 2,710 |
| Tennessee | $36,420 | $31,443 | $2,620 | 28,220 |
| South Dakota | $36,220 | $31,283 | $2,607 | 1,890 |
| Illinois | $37,580 | $30,660 | $2,555 | 53,540 |
| Michigan | $36,980 | $30,573 | $2,548 | 39,100 |
| Pennsylvania | $36,580 | $30,449 | $2,537 | 54,100 |
| Virginia | $36,750 | $30,410 | $2,534 | 40,310 |
| Texas | $34,760 | $30,110 | $2,509 | 126,620 |
| Ohio | $35,540 | $30,055 | $2,505 | 46,910 |
| Georgia | $35,940 | $30,013 | $2,501 | 46,350 |
| North Carolina | $35,400 | $29,688 | $2,474 | 50,150 |
Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, statewide, all industries. BLS wages include tips and commissions, not overtime premiums or benefits. Take-home uses 2026 tax rules for a single filer paid every two weeks with W-4 defaults and no pre-tax deductions.