Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Indianapolis, IN (2026)
Source: BLS OEWS · Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN · 9,210 employed
The average Cooks, Restaurant salary in Indianapolis, IN is $35,280 per year. The middle 50% of Cooks, Restaurants earn between $30,660 and $37,570. Top earners in the 90th percentile make $42,800 or more. Entry-level positions typically start around $28,820. The median of $36,040 is below the mean, reflecting the wage distribution in this field.
Cooks, Restaurant Salary Breakdown in Indianapolis, IN
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (Entry-level) | $28,820 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,660 |
| Median (50th Percentile) | $36,040 |
| Mean (Average) | $35,280 |
| 75th Percentile | $37,570 |
| 90th Percentile (Top earners) | $42,800 |
Related Jobs in Indianapolis, IN
| Occupation | Mean Annual |
|---|---|
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $60,940 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $44,710 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,750 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $32,830 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $32,740 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $32,260 |
Cooks, Restaurant Salaries in Other Cities
| City | Mean Annual |
|---|---|
| Kahului, HI | $53,460 |
| San Jose, CA | $50,190 |
| San Francisco, CA | $47,580 |
| Seattle, WA | $47,150 |
| Napa, CA | $47,070 |
| Portland, ME | $46,280 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $45,730 |
| Boston, MA | $45,720 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Cooks, Restaurant salary in Indianapolis, IN?
The average Cooks, Restaurant salary in Indianapolis, IN is $35,280 per year, according to BLS OEWS.
What is the median Cooks, Restaurant salary in Indianapolis, IN?
The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in Indianapolis, IN is $36,040 per year. Half of Cooks, Restaurants earn more than this and half earn less.
How much do entry-level Cooks, Restaurants make in Indianapolis, IN?
Entry-level Cooks, Restaurants in Indianapolis, IN typically earn around $28,820 per year (10th percentile). Workers in the 25th percentile earn about $30,660.
What do the highest-paid Cooks, Restaurants earn in Indianapolis, IN?
The highest-paid Cooks, Restaurants in Indianapolis, IN earn $42,800 or more per year (90th percentile). The 75th percentile wage is $37,570.
How many Cooks, Restaurants work in Indianapolis, IN?
There are approximately 9,210 Cooks, Restaurants employed in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN area, per BLS OEWS.