Indiana ranks 39th of 51 states and D.C. for cooks, restaurant pay, trailing top-paying Massachusetts ($46,280) by $11,240 — a 32% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $26,490 to $42,620 — a $16,130 spread, 17% tighter than the national $19,330 range.
Indiana employs roughly 1.9% of all cooks, restaurant in the country (27,640 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $26,490 | $12.73 |
| 25th percentile | $29,290 | $14.08 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $35,040 | $16.85 |
| 75th percentile | $36,910 | $17.74 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $42,620 | $20.49 |
| Mean (average) | $33,670 | $16.19 |
How Indiana Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana (current) | $35,040 | n/a |
| Massachusetts | $46,280 | +32% |
| District of Columbia | $45,230 | +29% |
| Washington | $44,980 | +28% |
| Maine | $44,870 | +28% |
| Hawaii | $44,710 | +28% |
| Vermont | $44,560 | +27% |
| California | $44,290 | +26% |
| New York | $39,890 | +14% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Indiana
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,080 | 11,690 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $35,240 | 46,990 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $35,270 | 2,670 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,280 | 7,800 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $35,300 | 3,720 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $35,320 | 6,830 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Cooks, Restaurant salary in Indiana?
The mean cooks, restaurant salary in Indiana is $33,670 per year. The median (middle) salary is $35,040 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Indiana?
Entry-level cooks, restaurants (10th percentile) in Indiana typically earn around $26,490 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $29,290 per year.
What is the highest Cooks, Restaurant salary in Indiana?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Indiana make approximately $42,620 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $36,910 per year.
How does the Indiana Cooks, Restaurant salary compare to the national average?
The median cooks, restaurant salary in Indiana is $35,040, which is -5% below national average of $36,830.