Cook Salary in 2024: A Comprehensive Guide
The average Cook salary is $36,060 per year. Keep reading to learn more about your earning potential in your career as a Cook, Cook salaries across the country, the factors that influence Cook salary averages and more.
Additionally, you can use our salary comparison tool below to see how much you’re earning in your current role and location compared to the market average.
What could I earn?
Find out how your salary compares to the average Cook salary.Average Cook Base Salary:
What can I earn as Cook? Your salary is $0.00 on the US national average.How Much Does a Cook Earn in the United States?
The average Cook salary in the United States (U.S.) is $3,005 a month or $36,060 per year, according to our salary estimate methodology.
Some Cooks may earn as little as $26,980 annually, placing them at the 10th percentile. Others might earn as much as $46,420 per year, positioning them at the 90th percentile of all Cook earners.
If you’re in the 90th percentile, you earn more than 90% of Cooks working in the U.S. However, if you’re in the 10th percentile, that means you earn less than 90% of working Cooks.
See the Cook salary breakdown according to the percentile below as per the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):
[Source: BLS]
This chart is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the map to see detailed data.
Cook Salary by Year
Explore the chart below to see how Cook salary averages progressed throughout the years from 2019 to 2023.
[Source: BLS]
This chart is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the map to see detailed data.
How Much Does a Cook Earn Monthly?
The average monthly Cook salary in the U.S. is approximately $3,005.
How Much Does a Cook Earn Weekly?
The average weekly salary for a Cook in the U.S. is approximately $694.
How Much Does a Cook Earn Hourly?
On average, Cooks earn an hourly wage of $17.
Know your yearly, monthly, weekly and hourly pay with ease using our Salary to Hourly Calculator below.
4 Factors Affecting Cook Salaries
There are several factors that influence the salary of a Cook. Some of the main ones are:
1. Experience and skills
Experienced Cooks with years in the hospitality industry have likely gained more skills that help them perform their role more effectively. As a result, employers may be more willing to offer them higher pay.
Additionally, after spending a significant amount of time working in a restaurant, Cooks will often specialize in a specific type of cuisine, increasing their potential earnings in establishments that offer dishes that align with the Cook’s expertise.
2. Type of industry
Cook salaries can greatly vary based on the type of industry in which they work. Those working in fine-dining restaurants or hotels typically earn higher salaries than those working in fast-food chains or institutional kitchens.
You can explore the Cook salaries across industries in the below chart:
[Source: BLS]
This graph is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the graph to see detailed data.
3. Education and training
Formal culinary education or specialized training can positively affect a Cook’s earning potential.
Engaging in structured educational programs, such as culinary schools or apprenticeships, equips Cooks with a comprehensive understanding of culinary principles, techniques and industry standards.
Moreover, specialized training in niche areas of the culinary arts, such as pastry making or international cuisine, can make you stand out in the competitive Cook job market. Certification or accreditation from culinary associations can also put a higher value on Cooks’ earnings.
You can learn more about Cook accreditation and education on our How To Become a Cook page.
4. Location
Location is another factor that can influence the earnings of Cooks. Simply put, a Cook’s salary can vary from state to state and even from city to city. Explore how the Cook’s salaries can vary in the next section.
Best-Paying States and Districts for Cooks
The table below offers insights into the varying salaries of Cooks throughout the U.S.
Explore each state and district to understand the differences and gain a deeper understanding of the disparities in earning potential among Cooks within the hospitality sector.
| State | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $45,060 |
| Washington | $44,410 |
| Massachusetts | $43,420 |
| California | $42,650 |
| Vermont | $42,390 |
| New York | $41,950 |
| District of Columbia | $41,570 |
| Maine | $41,060 |
| Colorado | $40,760 |
| Alaska | $39,940 |
| New Jersey | $39,600 |
| Rhode Island | $39,350 |
| New Hampshire | $39,310 |
| Arizona | $39,070 |
| Nevada | $38,930 |
| Connecticut | $38,540 |
| Oregon | $38,000 |
| Minnesota | $37,890 |
| Maryland | $37,190 |
| Illinois | $36,900 |
| Utah | $36,440 |
| Wisconsin | $35,240 |
| Florida | $35,190 |
| Montana | $35,010 |
| North Dakota | $34,920 |
| Nebraska | $34,720 |
| Michigan | $34,660 |
| Virginia | $34,600 |
| Wyoming | $34,340 |
| Missouri | $34,000 |
| Delaware | $33,990 |
| North Carolina | $33,550 |
| South Dakota | $33,420 |
| Tennessee | $33,290 |
| South Carolina | $32,770 |
| Pennsylvania | $32,560 |
| Iowa | $32,470 |
| Kansas | $32,280 |
| Indiana | $32,070 |
| Ohio | $32,070 |
| Idaho | $31,790 |
| New Mexico | $31,790 |
| Texas | $31,510 |
| Georgia | $30,990 |
| Kentucky | $30,880 |
| Oklahoma | $30,820 |
| Alabama | $30,060 |
| Arkansas | $30,000 |
| Louisiana | $29,270 |
| Mississippi | $29,010 |
| West Virginia | $28,090 |
Some of the top-paying states for Cooks include:
- Hawaii: $45,060
- Washington: $44,410
- Massachusetts: $43,420
On the other hand, Cooks working in the following states can expect to earn salaries on the lower end of the spectrum:
- Louisiana: $29,270
- Mississippi: $29,010
- West Virginia: $28,090
Cook Take-Home Pay Per State
Now that you know the average Cook salary for your state, know how much you earn by the end of the day after taking the necessary state-imposed taxes and other deductions into consideration with our Paycheck Calculator below.
Paycheck Calculator
Disclaimer: Please note that this paycheck calculator is designed to provide an estimate and should not be considered as professional tax advice. The actual withholding amounts and taxes owed may vary depending on individual circumstances and other factors. For accurate and personalized tax advice, we recommend consulting with a tax professional.
If your gross pay is $35,000.00 per year in the state of –, your net pay (or take home pay) will be $0 after tax deductions of 0% (or $0). Deductions include a total of [1] 0% (or $0) for the federal income tax, [2] 0% (or $0) for the state income tax, [3] 0% (or $0) for the social security tax and [4] 0% (or $0) for Medicare.
The Federal Income Tax is collected by the government and is consistent across all U.S. regions. In contrast, the State Income Tax is levied by the state of residence and work, leading to substantial variations. The Social Security Tax is used to fund Social Security, which benefits retirees, persons with disabilities and survivors of deceased workers. Medicare involves a federal payroll tax designated for the Medicare insurance program. As of 2022, Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming do not levy a state income tax.
High-Paying Cities for Cooks
Among the following four major U.S. cities, Los Angeles ($42,900) is the top-paying one for Cooks followed by:
Miami
Annual mean wage
$36,380
# of employees
35,210
New York City
Annual mean wage
$42,460
# of employees
67,980
Chicago
Annual mean wage
$38,030
# of employees
41,870
Los Angeles
Annual mean wage
$42,900
# of employees
51,320
[Source: BLS]
Non-Monetary Benefits and Perks for Cooks
Aside from salaries, non-monetary perks and job benefits Cooks receive can influence their earning potential for the better.
Explore some of the top benefits and perks for Cooks across the U.S.
Professional development opportunities
If the establishment you work for provides you with additional certification opportunities or skills enhancement workshops, you can continue to sharpen your skills and advance in your career. This will help you feel appreciated and valued as you will be supported on your career journey.
Health benefits
Most restaurants and dining establishments offer health benefits to their cooks. These include medical, dental and vision insurance plans.
Professional Cooks who have such benefits would not need to worry so much about health-related expenses, making them less anxious in situations in which they have to seek help.
Paid time off
According to Forbes, only 43% of hospitality workers have access to paid time off.
However, Cooks who do have access to this benefit can enjoy alleviated stress from knowing that they can take a much-needed rest without worrying how it will affect their income.
How Much Do Similar Careers to a Cook Get Paid?
Cooks earn more than Food Runners and Dishwashers but less than Sous Chefs and Waiters/Waitresses.
| Job Title | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| Food Runner | $29,691 |
| Waiter/Waitress | $36,530 |
| Sous Chef | $56,013 |
| Dishwasher | $31,650 |
Cook Salary FAQs
Whether or not Cooks receive largely depends on the establishment and location. In settings like open kitchens or upscale restaurants, it’s typical for Cooks to get a portion of the tips.
However, how tips are distributed for Cooks is notably different from Servers or Bartenders. While Servers and Bartenders usually get direct tips from customers, Cooks might be part of a tip pooling system where tips are divided among staff.
Below are some ways to increase your Cook salary:
- Gain additional culinary skills
- Specialize in a particular type of cuisine
- Move to a better-paying state or city
- Acquire certifications that prove your expertise in the Cook role
Cooks generally hold an entry-level position. That said, the highest-paying Cook position is not technically a Cook but rather, a Chef — specifically, an Executive Chef.
As you work to gain more experience and acquire additional skills, you can later progress to this role and earn an average salary of $80,040 per year.
Not really. For context, the average yearly salary for Cooks in the U.S. is $36,060 per year. On the other hand, Chefs earn a significantly higher average salary of $62,640 per year.
While Cooks can’t earn as much as Chefs do within their role, they can gain additional skills and experience in the kitchen, moving up the ladder and starting their Chef career. In doing so, they will also significantly increase their earnings.