Cook Salary in the USA

Cook salary in the USA can be different depending on the type of kitchen, location, experience, restaurant and employer. In 2025, cooks in the United States had a median pay of about $17.62 per hour, which is around $36,640 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Restaurant cooks had a median hourly wage close to $17.98, while fast food cooks had a lower median wage of about $14.85 per hour. A cook can work in a restaurant, hotel, school, hospital, cafeteria, private home or other food service place. People searching for cook salary, cook salary in USA, how much does a cook make, cook hourly pay and average cook salary will find that earnings are not same for every cook. Location also makes a big difference, because cook salary by state can range from around $29,000 to more than $46,000 in the published 2025 state data for restaurant cooks. Experience, kitchen skill, type of food and employer can also change the actual pay offered to a cook.

Cook Salary in the USA

A cook is a food preparation worker who prepares and cooks meals, follows recipes, handles ingredients and helps the kitchen provide food to customers or other people. The job can look very different from one workplace to another. A cook working in a small local restaurant may do many kitchen jobs in one shift, while a cook in a hotel, hospital or school cafeteria may follow a more fixed food preparation system. According to the latest BLS data, the median hourly wage for cooks was $17.62 in May 2025. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $12.85 per hour and the highest 10 percent earned more than $22.84 per hour. This means the cook salary range can be quite wide, especially when different cook jobs, locations and employers are included.

Cook Salary by State

Cook salary by state can be very different across the United States. The table below uses May 2025 BLS-based data for the occupation Cooks, Restaurant, because restaurant cooks make up the largest cook category. The numbers show the median annual wage and median hourly wage for states where the occupation had a published estimate. These figures are useful for understanding the local cook pay, but an individual job offer can be higher or lower depending on experience, employer, schedule and kitchen type.

How Much Does a Cook Make in the USA?

How much does a cook make in the USA depends on what type of cook job the person has. The BLS groups cooks into several categories, including restaurant cooks, fast food cooks, institution and cafeteria cooks, short order cooks, private household cooks and other cooks. In May 2025, the median hourly wage for all cooks was $17.62. Restaurant cooks had a median hourly wage of $17.98, institution and cafeteria cooks were at $18.01, short order cooks were at $17.25 and fast food cooks were at $14.85. Private household cooks had a higher median hourly wage of $23.05, although this is a much smaller occupation group.

• Average cook salary in the USA is affected by the type of kitchen and employer.
• Restaurant cooks had a median hourly wage of about $17.98 in May 2025.
• Fast food cooks had a median hourly wage of about $14.85.
• Institution and cafeteria cooks had a median hourly wage of about $18.01.
• Short order cooks had a median hourly wage of about $17.25.
• Private household cooks had a median hourly wage of about $23.05.
• Experienced cooks can earn more when they move into higher responsibility kitchen positions.

Cook Salary Per Hour

Cook salary per hour is one of the common ways this job is paid in the United States. Many cook jobs are hourly positions, so the weekly income depends on the hourly rate and the number of hours worked. The national median for cooks was $17.62 per hour in May 2025. Some entry-level or fast food cook positions can be below this amount, while experienced cooks and cooks working in hotels, resorts, private households or higher-paying areas can earn more. Overtime, shift schedules and employer policies can also affect the final paycheck, so the hourly wage should not be treated as the same thing as take-home income.

• National median cook hourly wage: about $17.62.
• Restaurant cook median hourly wage: about $17.98.
• Fast food cook median hourly wage: about $14.85.
• Institution and cafeteria cook median hourly wage: about $18.01.
• Short order cook median hourly wage: about $17.25.
• Private household cook median hourly wage: about $23.05.
• Actual hourly pay changes by state, city, employer and experience.

Restaurant Cook Salary

Restaurant cook salary is an important part of the overall cook salary market because restaurant cooks represent the largest cook category. In May 2025, restaurant cooks had about 1.41 million jobs and a median hourly wage of $17.98 according to BLS data. Restaurant cooks prepare food according to recipes, portion ingredients, cook meals and help keep the kitchen running during busy service periods. The work can be fast and physical, and schedules may include nights, weekends and holidays. A restaurant cook in a large city or hotel area may have a different pay rate than a cook working in a small local restaurant.

• Restaurant cook median hourly wage: about $17.98.
• Restaurant cook median annual wage: about $37,390 in May 2025 BLS-based state/occupation data.
• Restaurant kitchens may offer full-time or part-time work.
• Busy restaurants may require cooks to work under strong time pressure.
• Experience with different cooking methods can help a cook qualify for more kitchen responsibilities.
• Restaurant cook pay also changes with local labor market conditions.

Fast Food Cook Salary

Fast food cook salary is generally lower than the median pay for cooks overall. BLS reported a median hourly wage of $14.85 for fast food cooks in May 2025. Fast food cooks normally work with standardized recipes and kitchen procedures, prepare food quickly, keep ingredients ready and follow food safety rules. This type of cook job can be an entry point for people who are starting in the food service industry. With experience, some workers move into other cook positions or kitchen leadership roles.

• Fast food cook median hourly wage: about $14.85.
• The pay can vary between national chains, local restaurants and different cities.
• Fast food cooks often work with standard recipes and preparation procedures.
• Part-time schedules are common in food service.
• Some workers use fast food cooking jobs as their first kitchen experience.
• Experience can help workers move into restaurant or higher responsibility cook positions.

Line Cook Salary

Line cook salary in the USA can be different from one restaurant to another. A line cook normally works at a particular station in the kitchen and prepares food during the restaurant service. The station may be for grilling, frying, sautéing, salads, vegetables or another part of the menu. Many line cook jobs are hourly positions, so the total income depends on the hourly rate and hours worked. A new line cook may start near the lower part of the local pay range, while a line cook with several years of kitchen experience and good speed can get a better hourly rate.

• Line cook pay is normally based on hourly wages.
• Restaurant location can make a large difference in line cook salary.
• Experience with high-volume kitchen work can help with better-paying positions.
• Some line cooks work full time while others work part time.
• Night, weekend and holiday shifts are common in many restaurants.
• Line cooks may receive overtime when they work eligible hours above the employer's normal schedule.

Short Order Cook Salary

Short order cook salary is another common search for people looking at cook jobs in the USA. Short order cooks prepare food that can be made quickly, such as eggs, burgers, sandwiches, fries and other simple meals. They can work in diners, cafés, small restaurants and similar food service businesses. BLS reported a median wage of about $17.25 per hour for short order cooks in May 2025. Actual pay can be different depending on the state, city, restaurant and experience.

• Short order cook median hourly wage was about $17.25 in May 2025.
• Diners and small restaurants commonly employ short order cooks.
• Speed and accuracy are important skills for this type of work.
• Short order cooks may prepare several orders at the same time.
• Customer demand and restaurant business hours can affect work schedules.
• Experience with grills, fryers and basic food preparation can be useful.

School Cook Salary

School cook salary can be different from restaurant cook pay because school kitchens normally have fixed menus, serving times and food preparation procedures. School cooks may prepare breakfast, lunch and other meals for students and staff. They also need to follow food safety, sanitation and nutrition requirements set by the school or school district. Some school cook positions offer schedules that are more regular than restaurant jobs, although pay and benefits depend on the school district and employment arrangement.

• School cooks may work in elementary, middle and high schools.
• Many school kitchens follow planned menus and recipes.
• Food safety and sanitation are important parts of the job.
• School cook schedules can be different from restaurant schedules.
• Large school districts may have several levels of kitchen positions.
• Pay can include benefits when the position is a full-time public or school-district job.

Cafeteria Cook Salary

Cafeteria cook salary depends on the type of cafeteria and the employer. Cafeteria cooks can work in schools, hospitals, colleges, government facilities, business buildings and other institutions. BLS reported a median hourly wage of about $18.01 for institution and cafeteria cooks in May 2025. The work usually involves preparing larger quantities of food instead of individual restaurant orders. Cooks may prepare vegetables, meats, soups, breakfast foods, side dishes and other meals according to a planned menu.

• Institution and cafeteria cooks had a median hourly wage of about $18.01 in May 2025.
• Cafeteria cooks often prepare food in larger quantities.
• Hospitals, schools and colleges are examples of possible employers.
• Following recipes and portion requirements is important.
• Sanitation and food safety procedures are a regular part of cafeteria work.
• Some institutional employers provide benefits in addition to hourly wages.

Private Cook Salary

Private cook salary can be higher than many other cook jobs, but this type of work is much smaller than restaurant cooking. A private cook may prepare meals for an individual, family or household and can sometimes be responsible for menu planning, grocery shopping, special diets and kitchen organization. BLS reported a median hourly wage of about $23.05 for private household cooks in May 2025. The actual pay can vary a lot because private employers may have different requirements and expectations.

• Private household cooks had a median hourly wage of about $23.05 in May 2025.
• Some private cooks prepare daily meals for one household.
• Some positions can involve menu planning and grocery shopping.
• Special cooking skills may be required by individual families.
• Privacy, reliability and cleanliness can be important requirements.
• Private cook positions may be full time, part time or arranged around a household schedule.

Entry Level Cook Salary

Entry level cook salary is usually lower than the pay of a cook who already has several years of kitchen experience. A person entering the food service industry may begin as a prep cook, kitchen helper or entry-level restaurant cook before taking on more complicated cooking duties. The starting wage depends strongly on the local minimum wage, employer, restaurant type and available hours. Formal culinary school is not always required for cook jobs, and many cooks learn through on-the-job training.

• Entry-level cooks may start with basic food preparation duties.
• Kitchen helper or prep cook work can provide useful experience.
• New cooks may receive training from an experienced cook or kitchen manager.
• Basic food safety knowledge is useful for getting started.
• Knife skills, measuring ingredients and following recipes are important early skills.
• Starting pay can increase as the worker takes on more kitchen responsibilities.

Experienced Cook Salary

Experienced cook salary can be higher because an experienced cook can usually handle more complicated food preparation and work with less supervision. A cook who knows several stations, can manage a busy service and understands food safety may qualify for jobs with more responsibility. Experience alone does not guarantee a specific salary, because the employer and location still matter. Some experienced cooks also move into roles such as lead cook, kitchen supervisor, sous chef or chef as they build their skills.

• Experienced cooks can handle more kitchen tasks independently.
• Knowledge of multiple cooking stations can be valuable.
• High-volume restaurant experience may help with certain jobs.
• Specialized cuisine skills can be useful for some employers.
• Experienced cooks may train newer kitchen workers.
• Some cooks move into supervisory or chef positions after gaining experience.

Cook Job Duties

Cook job duties depend on the workplace, but most cooks have several common responsibilities. They prepare ingredients, follow recipes, cook food, check food quality and keep their work area clean. Cooks may also store ingredients correctly, monitor cooking temperatures and communicate with other kitchen workers. In a busy restaurant, a cook needs to prepare orders on time while keeping the food consistent. In a school, hospital or cafeteria, the cook may prepare large quantities of meals according to a planned menu.

• Prepare vegetables, meat, seafood and other ingredients.
• Follow recipes and food preparation instructions.
• Cook food using grills, ovens, fryers, stoves and other equipment.
• Check food for proper cooking and quality.
• Keep cooking areas, tools and equipment clean.
• Store ingredients at appropriate temperatures.
• Follow food safety and sanitation procedures.
• Prepare orders during busy service periods.
• Work with servers, kitchen managers and other cooks.
• Help control food waste and use ingredients properly.

Cook Work Environment

Most cooks spend a large part of the working day on their feet. Commercial kitchens can be hot, noisy and busy, especially during lunch and dinner service. Cooks may need to work close to ovens, grills, boiling liquids, sharp knives and other kitchen equipment, so following safety procedures is important. The schedule can also be different from a normal office job. Restaurants may need cooks during evenings, weekends and holidays, while institutional kitchens can have more regular operating hours.

• Cooks often stand for long periods during a shift.
• Commercial kitchens can become hot and crowded during busy hours.
• Evening, weekend and holiday work is common in many restaurants.
• Cooks may lift boxes, food containers and kitchen supplies.
• Protective clothing and safe kitchen practices may be required.
• Work speed can become especially important during busy meal periods.

Education and Training for a Cook

Many cook jobs do not require a college degree. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, cooks commonly learn their work through short-term on-the-job training. Some people also attend culinary schools, community college programs or other food preparation courses to build their skills. Formal education can be useful for people who want to develop professional cooking techniques, but the requirements depend on the employer and type of cook position.

• A college degree is generally not required for most cook jobs.
• Many cooks learn through on-the-job training.
• Culinary school can provide structured cooking and food preparation training.
• Food safety training can be useful for kitchen workers.
• Practical kitchen experience is important for developing speed and consistency.
• Additional training may help workers move toward chef or supervisory positions.

Skills Needed to Become a Cook

A good cook needs more than the ability to prepare food. Kitchen work requires organization, time management, cleanliness and the ability to work with other people. During a busy shift, several dishes may need to be prepared at the same time. A cook needs to understand the order of tasks and keep food moving without ignoring safety. Communication is also important because cooks normally work as part of a larger kitchen team.

• Basic cooking and food preparation skills.
• Knife handling and ingredient preparation.
• Ability to follow recipes and instructions.
• Time management during busy service.
• Knowledge of food safety and sanitation.
• Ability to work with kitchen equipment.
• Teamwork and communication.
• Attention to food quality and portion sizes.
• Ability to work while standing for long periods.
• Ability to stay organized in a busy kitchen.

Cook Salary and Benefits

Cook benefits depend on whether the job is full time, part time and who the employer is. Some full-time cooks may receive health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans or employee discounts. Other cooks, especially workers in part-time restaurant positions, may receive fewer benefits. Government institutions, schools, hospitals, hotels and large food service companies can have different benefit packages from small restaurants. Because benefits are not included in the hourly wage, a worker should look at the full compensation package when comparing cook jobs.

• Health insurance may be available with some full-time jobs.
• Paid vacation or paid time off may be offered by some employers.
• Some employers provide retirement or 401(k) plans.
• Restaurant workers may receive employee meals or discounts.
• Benefits can be different for full-time and part-time cooks.
• School, hospital and government employers may have structured benefit programs.

How to Increase Cook Salary

There are several ways a cook can work toward higher pay. Building experience is one common path, but learning more cooking stations and developing specialized skills can also help. A cook who can handle a busy service, train new workers, manage food preparation and maintain consistent quality may qualify for positions with more responsibility. Moving to a different type of employer or a different local labor market can also change the available pay range. Some cooks eventually move into chef, kitchen supervisor or food service management positions.

• Gain experience in different kitchen stations.
• Learn additional cooking methods and cuisines.
• Improve food safety and sanitation knowledge.
• Learn to work efficiently during high-volume service.
• Take culinary or professional cooking courses when useful.
• Develop leadership skills and help train newer kitchen workers.
• Consider hotels, hospitals, institutions or other employers with different pay structures.
• Move into lead cook, supervisor or chef positions when qualified.

Cook Salary by Experience and Job Type

Cook income does not follow one fixed salary scale because the word cook covers many different jobs. A fast food cook, restaurant line cook, school cook and private household cook can have very different pay. New workers usually need time to build practical skills, while experienced workers may take on more difficult food preparation and kitchen responsibilities. The BLS wage data also shows that the type of cook is connected with noticeable differences in hourly pay.

These figures are national median hourly wages from May 2025 BLS occupational data and should be used as a general reference rather than a guaranteed starting wage. Local pay can be quite different from the national figure.

Average Cook Salary in the USA

Average cook salary is a common search from people who want to know what they can earn before applying for a kitchen job. There is not one single salary for every cook in America because cooks work in many different places and job types. The BLS May 2025 data shows a median hourly wage of $17.62 for cooks overall. That works out to about $36,640 a year when converted to a full-time annual figure. Some cooks earn less than this amount, while other cooks earn considerably more depending on their occupation, location, experience and employer.

• Median cook pay was about $17.62 per hour in May 2025.
• The corresponding annual median was about $36,640.
• Pay can be lower for some entry-level food service positions.
• Private household and specialized cooking positions can have higher wages.
• State and city location can strongly affect local cook pay.
• Annual income also depends on how many hours a cook actually works.

How Much Do Cooks Make a Year?

How much cooks make a year depends on their hourly wage and working schedule. A cook earning $17.62 per hour and working 40 hours every week would have gross wages of around $36,650 for a full year before taxes, assuming 52 weeks of work. This is close to the BLS median annual figure. But many cook jobs are part time or have changing weekly schedules, so not every cook will actually receive this amount. Overtime, seasonal work, tips where applicable and changes in hours can also affect yearly income.

• $15 per hour at 40 hours per week is about $31,200 per year.
• $18 per hour at 40 hours per week is about $37,440 per year.
• $20 per hour at 40 hours per week is about $41,600 per year.
• $22 per hour at 40 hours per week is about $45,760 per year.
• These are gross calculations before taxes and other deductions.
• Part-time workers will normally have lower annual earnings unless they work additional hours elsewhere.

Cook Salary in California

Cook salary in California is affected by the state's large restaurant and hospitality industry as well as differences between cities and regions. The May 2025 BLS-based data for restaurant cooks shows a median annual wage of about $44,880, or approximately $21.58 per hour. A cook working in a major metropolitan area may see different job offers than someone working in a smaller California community. Cost of living, employer size and kitchen type are also important when looking at California cook jobs.

• Restaurant cook median pay in California: about $21.58 per hour.
• Restaurant cook median annual pay: about $44,880.
• Pay can differ between Northern and Southern California.
• Major cities can have different wage levels from smaller communities.
• Hotels, restaurants and institutional kitchens are possible employers.

Cook Salary in Texas

Cook salary in Texas varies by city, restaurant and type of cooking job. The May 2025 BLS-based restaurant cook data shows a median annual wage of about $34,760, which is around $16.71 per hour. Texas has a large food service industry, so cooks can find employment in restaurants, hotels, cafeterias, hospitals and other food service businesses. Actual offers can be different from the state median because individual employers set their own wages.

• Restaurant cook median pay in Texas: about $16.71 per hour.
• Restaurant cook median annual pay: about $34,760.
• Houston, Dallas, Austin and other cities can have different local pay levels.
• Restaurant size and type can affect the wage offered.
• Experience can help a cook qualify for higher-responsibility positions.

Cook Salary in New York

Cook salary in New York can vary considerably between different areas of the state. The May 2025 BLS-based data shows a median annual wage of about $43,680 for restaurant cooks, equal to around $21.00 per hour. Restaurants, hotels, institutions and other food service employers provide cook jobs across the state. A cook should compare the actual hourly wage, expected hours, benefits and local living costs when looking at job offers.

• Restaurant cook median pay in New York: about $21.00 per hour.
• Restaurant cook median annual pay: about $43,680.
• New York City and other parts of the state can have different job markets.
• Hotel and restaurant kitchens can have different pay structures.
• Experience and specialized cooking skills can affect individual wages.

Cook Salary in Florida

Cook salary in Florida is influenced by the state's large tourism, restaurant and hospitality industries. BLS-based May 2025 data puts the median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Florida at about $37,020, or $17.80 per hour. Tourism areas may have many seasonal and hospitality jobs, while local restaurants and institutional employers can have different schedules and wages.

• Restaurant cook median pay in Florida: about $17.80 per hour.
• Restaurant cook median annual pay: about $37,020.
• Tourism areas can have strong demand for food service workers.
• Hotels and resorts are possible employers for cooks.
• Restaurant and institutional cook jobs can have different schedules.

Cook Salary in Washington

Cook salary in Washington is among the higher state wage figures in the BLS-based restaurant cook data. The May 2025 median annual wage was about $46,800, or approximately $22.50 per hour. Local wages still depend on the city, employer and type of kitchen. Washington has restaurant, hotel, institutional and other food service employers that hire cooks.

• Restaurant cook median pay in Washington: about $22.50 per hour.
• Restaurant cook median annual pay: about $46,800.
• Local wages can vary between different parts of Washington.
• Hotels and restaurants can offer different pay depending on the position.
• Experienced cooks may qualify for jobs with greater kitchen responsibilities.

Cook Salary in Hotels

Hotel cook salary depends on the hotel, location, kitchen type and level of responsibility. Hotel kitchens can prepare breakfast, lunch, dinner, room service, banquets and special events. A hotel cook may work with different stations and may need to prepare food for a large number of guests. Hotels can also have several levels of kitchen jobs, allowing an experienced cook to move into positions with more responsibility.

• Hotels may employ cooks for restaurants and banquet kitchens.
• Breakfast cooks can have different duties from dinner cooks.
• Large hotels may have several kitchen stations.
• Banquet cooking can involve preparing large quantities of food.
• Hotel schedules can include weekends and holidays.
• Benefits may be available for eligible full-time hotel employees.

Cook Salary in Hospitals

Hospital cook salary can be different from restaurant wages because hospital food service has specific procedures and meal schedules. Hospital cooks may prepare meals for patients, employees and visitors. They need to follow food safety rules and may need to prepare meals according to special dietary instructions provided by the facility. Hospitals can also employ cooks in cafeterias that serve employees and visitors.

• Hospital cooks may prepare patient meals and cafeteria food.
• Food safety and sanitation are especially important.
• Some meals may need to follow specific dietary instructions.
• Hospitals can operate food service throughout the day.
• Large healthcare employers may offer benefits to eligible employees.

Cook Salary in Restaurants

Restaurant cook salary depends on the restaurant's location, size, menu and business level. A small local restaurant can have a very different pay structure from a large hotel restaurant or high-volume food service operation. Restaurant cooks can work at different stations and may eventually take on lead responsibilities. The national median wage for restaurant cooks was about $17.98 per hour in May 2025, but individual job offers can be above or below that number.

• Restaurant cook median hourly wage: about $17.98.
• Busy restaurants may require cooks to work quickly during service.
• Restaurants can offer both part-time and full-time cook jobs.
• Specialized cuisine experience can be useful for some positions.
• Large restaurants may have separate stations for different cooking tasks.
• Experienced cooks may move into lead or supervisory roles.

Cook Career Path

A cook career can start with an entry-level kitchen position and develop through practical experience. A new worker may begin as a kitchen helper or prep cook and gradually learn cooking stations. After gaining experience, the worker may become a line cook or take responsibility for more complicated food preparation. Some cooks eventually become lead cooks, kitchen supervisors, sous chefs or chefs. The exact career path depends on the person's skills, employer and interest in taking on more responsibility.

• Kitchen helper
• Prep cook
• Entry-level cook
• Line cook
• Experienced cook
• Lead cook
• Kitchen supervisor
• Sous chef
• Chef

Cook Job Outlook in the USA

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of cooks to grow by 7 percent from 2025 to 2035. The BLS also projects about 393,200 openings for cooks each year on average during that period. These openings include both new positions and jobs that become available when existing workers leave the occupation. Restaurants and other food service businesses continue to need cooks to prepare meals for customers, while institutional food service also creates employment opportunities.

• Cooks are employed in restaurants, institutions, hotels and other food service locations.
• BLS projects 7% employment growth from 2025 to 2035.
• About 393,200 cook job openings per year are projected on average.
• Openings include replacement jobs as well as new employment.
• Food preparation experience can be useful when applying for cook positions.

What Affects Cook Salary?

Several factors can affect how much a cook earns. The biggest differences often come from the type of cook job, location and employer. Experience can also matter, especially when a cook can handle several stations or has specialized food preparation skills. The number of hours worked is another important factor because many cooks are paid hourly. A person comparing jobs should look at the wage together with scheduled hours, overtime rules, benefits and other employment conditions.

• Location: Wages can be different from one state or city to another.
• Experience: Experienced cooks may qualify for higher-responsibility jobs.
• Employer: Restaurants, hospitals, hotels and institutions can have different pay structures.
• Cook type: Fast food, restaurant, cafeteria and private household cooks have different wage levels.
• Skills: Specialized cooking and multiple kitchen skills can improve job opportunities.
• Hours: Total annual income depends partly on the number of hours worked.
• Schedule: Nights, weekends and holiday shifts may be common in some kitchens.
• Responsibilities: Workers handling more complex duties may qualify for different positions.

Cook Salary vs Chef Salary

Cook and chef are not always the same job. A cook generally focuses on preparing food and completing assigned kitchen tasks, while a chef can have broader responsibilities such as menu planning, kitchen supervision, purchasing and managing other kitchen employees. The salary difference depends on the exact positions being compared. Some experienced cooks move into chef positions after developing cooking, leadership and management skills.

• Cooks mainly focus on food preparation and cooking duties.
• Chefs can have broader kitchen management responsibilities.
• Chefs may be responsible for menus and food purchasing.
• Some chefs supervise cooks and other kitchen employees.
• Moving from cook to chef can require additional experience and responsibility.

Is Being a Cook a Good Career?

Being a cook can provide an accessible way to enter the food service industry because many cook positions do not require a college degree and training is often provided on the job. The work can also provide experience that leads to other kitchen positions. At the same time, cooking is physical work and schedules can include nights, weekends and holidays. The career can therefore look different for every person depending on the type of kitchen, working hours, pay and long-term career goals.

• Many cook jobs do not require a college degree.
• On-the-job training is common.
• There are cook jobs in many types of workplaces.
• Cooking experience can provide a path toward higher kitchen responsibilities.
• The work can involve long periods of standing and busy shifts.
• Restaurant schedules can include nights, weekends and holidays.

Final Cook Salary Overview

Cook salary in the USA is not one fixed number because the occupation includes many different kitchen jobs. According to May 2025 BLS data, cooks had a median wage of about $17.62 per hour, or around $36,640 per year. Restaurant cooks had a median wage of about $17.98 per hour, while fast food cooks had a median of about $14.85 and institution and cafeteria cooks had a median of about $18.01. Private household cooks were at about $23.05 per hour. State-level restaurant cook wages also show large differences, with published median wages ranging from around $29,000 to more than $46,000 annually in the data used for this article. For anyone researching how much a cook makes, the most useful things to compare are job type, local wage, expected working hours, experience requirements and benefits.

• National cook median wage: about $17.62 per hour.
• National cook median annual pay: about $36,640.
• Restaurant cook median wage: about $17.98 per hour.
• Fast food cook median wage: about $14.85 per hour.
• Institution and cafeteria cook median wage: about $18.01 per hour.
• Private household cook median wage: about $23.05 per hour.
• Cook employment is projected by BLS to grow 7% from 2025 to 2035.
• Average annual openings for cooks are projected at about 393,200 during that period.