Cooks, Restaurant Salary in El Paso, TX

In El Paso, Texas, the typical cook at a restaurant earns an annual salary of approximately $28,580, which translates to an hourly wage of about $13.74. This median salary is notably lower than both the national median for cooks, which stands at $36,830, and the local area's median household income of $58,800. The discrepancy indicates that cooking in El Paso tends to offer wages below what many households earn from other combined sources or occupations within the region. Despite this, with an estimated 3,500 individuals employed as cooks in the area and a relatively low unemployment rate of 4.20%, there remains steady demand for culinary professionals.

The earnings potential for cooks in El Paso varies significantly based on experience levels. Entry-level cooks earn around the 10th percentile mark at approximately $21,790 annually, while those in the 25th percentile make about $26,850 per year. Experienced cooks who reach the 75th percentile can expect to earn closer to $33,230 annually, with top earners in the 90th percentile making up to $35,970 a year. The difference in earnings is driven largely by factors such as experience, skill level, and potentially the type of restaurant or culinary specialization. As cooks gain more experience and possibly additional qualifications, their ability to command higher wages increases, reflecting both enhanced expertise and value to employers.