salary$37,010 a year$18 an hour · median pay in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$28,700per year
Top pay (top 10%)$44,670per year
Jobs in the area18,640people work this job
Can a restaurant cook afford Tampa?
Expensive. Rent of $2,216 a month takes 71.9% 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 Tampa, FL?
The median pay for a restaurant cook in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL area is $37,010 a year ($18 an hour). Most earn between $28,700 and $44,670.
Can a restaurant cook afford to live in Tampa?
Typical rent of $2,216 a month takes 71.9% 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 Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area.