How Much Does a Restaurant Line Cook Make in the United States in 2026? (Hourly & After-Tax Salary)
Median Annual & Hourly Wage in the United States
$36,400/yr ($17.50/hr · $31,286 After-Tax)
Entry-Level (25th Pct)$28,390 ($13.65/hr)
Experienced (90th Pct)$49,130 ($23.62/hr)
Bi-Weekly Net Paycheck$1,203.30
Overtime Rate (1.5x)$26.25/hr
Gross vs. Net After-Tax Pay by Experience Level (2026)
| Level | Hourly | Gross Annual | Federal + FICA + State Tax | Net Take-Home | Bi-Weekly Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $13.65/hr | $28,390 | −$3,540.14 | $24,849.86 | $955.76 |
| Median (Mid-Career) | $17.50/hr | $36,400 | −$5,114.10 | $31,285.90 | $1,203.30 |
| Senior / Top 10% | $23.62/hr | $49,130 | −$7,615.55 | $41,514.45 | $1,596.71 |
Compare Wage Across All 50 U.S. States
Texas ($17.15/hr)California ($20.65/hr)Florida ($16.62/hr)New York ($20.30/hr)Illinois ($18.03/hr)Arizona ($16.97/hr)New Jersey ($19.60/hr)Georgia ($16.80/hr)North Carolina ($16.62/hr)Washington ($20.12/hr)Pennsylvania ($17.32/hr)Ohio ($16.45/hr)Nevada ($17.15/hr)Colorado ($18.55/hr)Virginia ($18.38/hr)Massachusetts ($20.47/hr)Michigan ($16.80/hr)Tennessee ($16.10/hr)Indiana ($16.28/hr)Maryland ($18.90/hr)Minnesota ($18.20/hr)Missouri ($16.10/hr)Wisconsin ($16.97/hr)Oregon ($18.38/hr)Connecticut ($19.43/hr)Utah ($16.97/hr)South Carolina ($15.93/hr)Alabama ($15.40/hr)Louisiana ($15.58/hr)Kentucky ($15.58/hr)Oklahoma ($15.58/hr)Kansas ($16.10/hr)Iowa ($16.28/hr)New Mexico ($16.10/hr)Arkansas ($15.22/hr)Mississippi ($14.88/hr)Nebraska ($16.45/hr)Idaho ($16.28/hr)Hawaii ($18.90/hr)New Hampshire ($18.03/hr)Maine ($16.62/hr)Rhode Island ($17.85/hr)Montana ($16.10/hr)Delaware ($17.68/hr)South Dakota ($15.93/hr)North Dakota ($16.62/hr)Alaska ($19.08/hr)Vermont ($17.15/hr)West Virginia ($15.05/hr)Wyoming ($16.62/hr)