SOC 35-2014 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Restaurant — Central Indiana
Central Indiana nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Central Indiana, IN is $28,830 a year, trailing the national median of $37,390 by 22.9%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Central Indiana, IN is $28,830 a year, trailing the national median of $37,390 by 22.9%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $26,630 and $36,670. The lowest tenth earn under $19,290, while the highest tenth earn more than $38,270.
The area has 1,360 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 8.4 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Indianapolis records the highest median at $36,610. Of the 379 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 362nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $19,290 | −48.4% |
| 25th | $26,630 | −28.8% |
| Median (50th) | $28,830 | −22.9% |
| 75th | $36,670 | −1.9% |
| 90th | $38,270 | +2.4% |
| Mean | $30,860 | −17.5% |
Other metro areas in Indiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indianapolis | $36,610 | 9,180 | |
| 2 | Kokomo | $35,300 | 370 | |
| 3 | Bloomington | $34,910 | 930 | |
| 4 | Lafayette | $34,870 | 930 | |
| 5 | South Bend | $34,650 | 1,300 | |
| 6 | Fort Wayne | $34,490 | 2,030 | |
| 7 | Evansville | $34,290 | 1,330 | |
| 8 | Elkhart | $33,770 | 640 | |
| 9 | Muncie | $30,050 | 460 | |
| 10 | Michigan City | $29,860 | 490 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Central Indiana run 6.7% below the national average, so the median of $28,830 goes as far as $30,900 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 17.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$28,830as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$30,900US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $28,830 a year, 22.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $19,290 to $38,270 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,360 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Indianapolis, at $36,610.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Restaurant in Central Indiana, IN?
The median annual wage is $28,830, or $13.86 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 $37,390, so pay in Central Indiana, IN is 22.9% 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 Central Indiana, IN earns more than $38,270 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $19,290 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 Indianapolis, at $36,610 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,360 jobs in this occupation in Central Indiana, IN. Self-employed workers are not included.
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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