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Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Indiana
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Cooks, Restaurant make in Indiana?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$35,170
Median Annual Salary
▲
+0.4% vs 2024
$34,150
Mean Salary
$35,170
Median Salary
$16.91
Hourly Rate
26,960 people work as Cooks, Restaurant in Indiana
Cooks, Restaurant salary by percentile in Indiana
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Cooks, Restaurant in Indiana earn a median salary of $35,170 per year ($2,930/month).
This is 6.7% below the national average of $37,684.
Indiana ranks #41 out of 51 states for Cooks, Restaurant pay.
Approximately 26,960 people work in this occupation across Indiana.
Salaries increased by 0.4% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Cooks, Restaurant
Prepare, season, and cook dishes such as soups, meats, vegetables, or desserts in restaurants. May order supplies, keep records and accounts, price items on menu, or plan menu.
Top Skills
Monitoring
3.12
Active Listening
3.0
Speaking
3.0
Critical Thinking
3.0
Coordination
3.0
Key Knowledge Areas
Food Production
4.1
Customer and Personal Service
3.89
English Language
3.56
Production and Processing
3.0
Administration and Management
2.92
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
(44.0% of workers)
Salaries for Cooks, Restaurant in Indiana range from $26,000 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $44,190 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $28,650 and $37,590.
Median $35,170
P10: $26,000P25: $28,650P75: $37,590P90: $44,190
10th
$26,000
25th
$28,650
Median
$35,170
75th
$37,590
90th
$44,190
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$26,000
$12.50
$2,166
25th Percentile
$28,650
$13.77
$2,387
Median (50th)
$35,170
$16.91
$2,930
75th Percentile
$37,590
$18.07
$3,132
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$44,190
$21.25
$3,682
Note: The mean (average) salary of $34,150 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
The median annual salary for Cooks, Restaurant in Indiana is $35,170 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $34,150.
What is the salary range for a Cooks, Restaurant in Indiana?
Salaries for Cooks, Restaurant in Indiana range from $26,000 at the 10th percentile to $44,190 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $28,650 and $37,590.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Indiana?
Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant positions in Indiana typically start around $26,000 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $28,650 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Cooks, Restaurant in Indiana?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 26,960 people are employed as Cooks, Restaurant in Indiana.
What is the hourly rate for a Cooks, Restaurant in Indiana?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Cooks, Restaurant in Indiana is approximately $16.91 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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