Restaurant cook salary in California after taxes
The median restaurant cook in California earns $44,880 a year ($21.58 an hour). After 2026 taxes, that's about $36,802 a year, or $1,415.46 every two weeks.
Take-home pay at each pay level
| Pay level | Gross / year | Take-home / year | Per month | Every 2 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $37,100 | $30,994 | $2,583 | $1,192.08 |
| 25th percentile | $38,590 | $32,106 | $2,676 | $1,234.86 |
| Median | $44,880 | $36,802 | $3,067 | $1,415.46 |
| 75th percentile | $47,330 | $38,627 | $3,219 | $1,485.66 |
| 90th percentile | $55,580 | $44,604 | $3,717 | $1,715.55 |
The 10th percentile means 10% of restaurant cooks in California earn less than this. New hires usually start near the 10th–25th percentile.
Your exact paycheck
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Restaurant cook take-home pay in other states
California ranks #2 of 20 of the states we cover for median restaurant cook take-home pay.
| State | Median gross | Take-home / year |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $46,800 | $39,135 |
| California | $44,880 | $36,802 |
| Massachusetts | $45,600 | $36,650 |
| New York | $43,680 | $35,262 |
| New Hampshire | $40,200 | $34,481 |
| Alaska | $40,140 | $34,432 |
| Nevada | $38,610 | $33,203 |
| New Jersey | $38,460 | $32,062 |
| Florida | $37,020 | $31,926 |
| Wyoming | $36,830 | $31,773 |
| Tennessee | $36,420 | $31,443 |
| South Dakota | $36,220 | $31,283 |
| Illinois | $37,580 | $30,660 |
| Michigan | $36,980 | $30,573 |
| Pennsylvania | $36,580 | $30,449 |
| Virginia | $36,750 | $30,410 |
| Texas | $34,760 | $30,110 |
| Ohio | $35,540 | $30,055 |
| Georgia | $35,940 | $30,013 |
| North Carolina | $35,400 | $29,688 |
Questions
How much does a restaurant cook make in California after taxes?
The median restaurant cook in California earns $44,880 a year ($21.58 an hour) before tax, according to BLS data for May 2025. After 2026 federal and state taxes that's about $36,802 a year, $3,067 a month or $1,415.46 every two weeks for a single filer with no pre-tax deductions.
How many restaurant cooks work in California?
About 152,250, according to the BLS May 2025 estimates.
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.
Sources
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (state data)
- IRS Publication 15-T (2026), Worksheet 1A and Annual Percentage Method tables
- SSA: 2026 Social Security wage base ($184,500)
- California EDD, 2026 Withholding Schedules, Method B (exact calculation)
- California EDD: SDI withholding rate (1.3% in 2026, no wage cap)
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