Cook Salary in New Jersey (2026)
$18.49 per hour · take-home ≈ $32,419/year ($2,702/month) for a single filer
Cook pay range in New Jersey
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $32,220 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $35,880 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $38,460 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $45,600 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $50,010 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 28,800 Cook jobs in New Jersey (occupation code 35-2014, “Cooks, Restaurant”).
Gross vs. take-home in New Jersey
A median Cook salary of $38,460 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus New Jersey state income tax, a single filer keeps about $32,419 — an effective tax rate of 15.7%.
| Gross (median) | $38,460 |
| Federal income tax | −$2,435 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$2,942 |
| New Jersey state income tax | −$664 |
| Take-home (annual) | $32,419 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $2,702 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free New Jersey paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Cook make in New Jersey?
- The median Cook salary in New Jersey is $38,460 per year ($18.49 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $35,880 and $45,600.
- What is the take-home pay for a Cook in New Jersey?
- On the median salary of $38,460, a single filer in New Jersey takes home about $32,419 per year ($2,702 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 15.7%.
- How many Cook jobs are there in New Jersey?
- BLS counts 28,800 Cook jobs in New Jersey in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Cooks
Other salaries in New Jersey
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified New Jersey state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for New Jersey.