How to Become a Cooks, Restaurant in Texas
Cooks, Restaurants in Texas earn a median salary of $34,050/year, which is 8% below the national average. Texas has no state income tax. After taxes and rent, a cooks, restaurant takes home approximately $1,038/month. Most positions require No formal educational credential.
What a cooks, restaurant can afford in Texas
Becoming a cooks, restaurant in Texas
Meet education requirements
Cooks, Restaurant positions in Texas typically require No formal educational credential. Programs are available at colleges and training institutions across Texas. Research accredited programs in your area.
Gain required experience
Many cooks, restaurant positions in Texas require hands-on experience through internships, apprenticeships, or entry-level roles. Look for training programs and mentorship opportunities in your metro area.
Obtain Texas licensure or certification
Texas may require specific licensing or professional certification for cooks, restaurants. Requirements vary by state — contact the Texas Department of Labor or relevant licensing board for current requirements, exam schedules, and application procedures.
Find positions in Texas
Texas employs 125,880 cooks, restaurants. The highest concentrations are in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos and Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington.
Cooks, Restaurant salary by metro area in Texas
| Metro area | Median | Hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | $37K | $17.59/hr | 12,720 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | $36K | $17.4/hr | 33,190 |
| Midland | $36K | $17.22/hr | 970 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | $35K | $16.66/hr | 12,060 |
| Odessa | $35K | $16.59/hr | 840 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | $34K | $16.23/hr | 32,020 |
| Sherman-Denison | $30K | $14.53/hr | 500 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur | $30K | $14.52/hr | 1,530 |
| Waco | $30K | $14.39/hr | 1,100 |
| Amarillo | $30K | $14.37/hr | 1,250 |
| College Station-Bryan | $30K | $14.3/hr | 1,380 |
| Corpus Christi | $30K | $14.27/hr | 2,220 |
| Abilene | $29K | $14.17/hr | 760 |
| Tyler | $29K | $14.15/hr | 1,010 |
| Lubbock | $29K | $14.13/hr | 1,880 |
Cooks, Restaurant salary range in Texas
Cooks, Restaurant careers in other states
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cooks, restaurant make in Texas?▼
The median cooks, restaurant salary in Texas is $34,050 per year ($16.37/hr). This is 8% below the national median of $36,830. Salaries range from $23,430 to $43,360.
What are the requirements to become a cooks, restaurant in Texas?▼
Cooks, Restaurant positions in Texas typically require No formal educational credential. Texas may have specific licensing or certification requirements. Check with the Texas licensing board or department of labor for current requirements.
Can a cooks, restaurant afford to live in Texas?▼
At the median salary of $34,050, a cooks, restaurant in Texas would take home approximately $2,450/month after taxes. With median 2-bedroom rent at $1,412/month, that's 57.6% of take-home pay going to housing. This exceeds the recommended 30% guideline.
What are the best cities for cooks, restaurants in Texas?▼
The highest paying metro areas for cooks, restaurants in Texas are Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos ($36,590), Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington ($36,200), Midland ($35,820). However, cost of living varies significantly between metros — a higher salary may not mean more purchasing power.
Does Texas have state income tax for cooks, restaurants?▼
No, Texas does not have a state income tax. This means cooks, restaurants keep more of their gross salary compared to states with income tax — a significant advantage for affordability.