Cook Salary in Virginia (2026)
$17.67 per hour · take-home ≈ $30,356/year ($2,530/month) for a single filer
Cook pay range in Virginia
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $29,340 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $33,270 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $36,750 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $42,990 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $45,740 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 40,310 Cook jobs in Virginia (occupation code 35-2014, “Cooks, Restaurant”).
Gross vs. take-home in Virginia
A median Cook salary of $36,750 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus Virginia state income tax, a single filer keeps about $30,356 — an effective tax rate of 17.4%.
| Gross (median) | $36,750 |
| Federal income tax | −$2,230 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$2,811 |
| Virginia state income tax | −$1,353 |
| Take-home (annual) | $30,356 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $2,530 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Virginia paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Cook make in Virginia?
- The median Cook salary in Virginia is $36,750 per year ($17.67 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $33,270 and $42,990.
- What is the take-home pay for a Cook in Virginia?
- On the median salary of $36,750, a single filer in Virginia takes home about $30,356 per year ($2,530 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 17.4%.
- How many Cook jobs are there in Virginia?
- BLS counts 40,310 Cook jobs in Virginia in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Cooks
Other salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia 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 Virginia.