Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Southern Indiana

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Southern Indiana nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $30,920 -16% vs national
Median hourly $14.87
10th percentile $22,400
90th percentile $38,050
Employed locally 1,320
National median $36,830

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Cooks, Restaurant
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Southern Indiana
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $22,400
    25th
    $28,190
    50th (median)
    $30,920
    75th
    $35,750
    90th
    $38,050

    Top-paying metros for Cooks, Restaurant

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $48,320
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $46,970
    Portland-South Portland, ME $46,960
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $46,960
    Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area $46,500
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $46,340

    Related occupations in Southern Indiana

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,610
    Waiters and Waitresses $23,850
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $37,110
    Food Preparation Workers $28,830
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $31,450
    Bartenders $22,270

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Cooks, Restaurant make per hour in Southern Indiana?

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Restaurant in Southern Indiana is $14.87, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $19.06 or more per hour.

    Is Southern Indiana above or below average for Cooks, Restaurant salaries?

    The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in Southern Indiana is 16% below the national median of $36,830. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Cooks, Restaurant in Southern Indiana?

    Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant (10th percentile) earn around $22,400 per year in Southern Indiana. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $28,190.