salary$36,810 a year$18 an hour · median pay in the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$27,540per year
Top pay (top 10%)$44,490per year
Jobs in the area13,000people work this job
Can a restaurant cook afford Austin?
Expensive. Rent of $1,932 a month takes 63.0% of the median restaurant cook salary. That is over the 30% rule, so many people in this job share housing or need a second income.
Restaurant Cook pay in similar cities
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a restaurant cook make in Austin, TX?
The median pay for a restaurant cook in the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX area is $36,810 a year ($18 an hour). Most earn between $27,540 and $44,490.
Can a restaurant cook afford to live in Austin?
Typical rent of $1,932 a month takes 63.0% of the median restaurant cook salary, which we rate Expensive.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX metro area.