SOC 35-2019 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, All Other — Northwestern Region of Texas
Northwestern Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Northwestern Region of Texas, TX is $29,710 a year, trailing the national median of $37,690 by 21.2%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Northwestern Region of Texas, TX is $29,710 a year, trailing the national median of $37,690 by 21.2%. Half of workers earn between $25,940 and $39,000. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $23,350 and the ninetieth at $44,860.
Midland leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $40,040. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 338th of 375 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,350 | −38.0% |
| 25th | $25,940 | −31.2% |
| Median (50th) | $29,710 | −21.2% |
| 75th | $39,000 | +3.5% |
| 90th | $44,860 | +19.0% |
| Mean | $32,370 | −14.1% |
Other metro areas in Texas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Midland | $40,040 | 100 | |
| 2 | Dallas | $35,500 | 1,810 | |
| 3 | Austin | $35,070 | 420 | |
| 4 | San Antonio | $33,000 | 290 | |
| 5 | Houston | $27,900 | 860 | |
| 6 | Waco | $27,710 | 60 | |
| 7 | El Paso | $27,460 | 140 | |
| 8 | Killeen | $25,940 | 40 | |
| 9 | College Station | $25,700 | 50 | |
| 10 | Lubbock | $24,650 | 80 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northwestern Region of Texas run 2.9% below the national average, so the median of $29,710 goes as far as $30,597 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 18.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$29,710as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$30,597US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $29,710 a year, 21.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $23,350 to $44,860 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Midland, at $40,040.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, All Other in Northwestern Region of Texas, TX?
The median annual wage is $29,710, or $14.29 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $37,690, so pay in Northwestern Region of Texas, TX is 21.2% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Northwestern Region of Texas, TX earns more than $44,860 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $23,350 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Midland, at $40,040 per year.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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