Wondering how much you can earn when working as a Cook?
Keep reading to learn more about Cook salaries across the country, the factors that influence these and more.
Additionally, you can check out our tool below to see how much you’re earning in your current role and location against the market average.
How Much Does a Cook Earn in the United States?
The average base salary for a Cook in the United States 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 United States. However, if you’re in the 10th percentile, that means you earn less than 90% of working Cooks.
See the breakdown of Cook salaries according to the percentile below:
[Source: The Bureau of Labor Statistics]
This chart is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the map to see detailed data.
Cook Salary by Year
The below chart shows us Cook salaries from 2019 to 2023.
Explore it to see how a Cook’s salary progressed throughout the years.
[Source: The Bureau of Labor Statistics]
This chart is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the map to see detailed data.
How Much Does a Cook Earn Weekly?
The average weekly salary for a Cook in the United States is approximately $693.46.
How Much Does a Cook Earn Hourly?
On average, Cooks earn an hourly wage of $17.
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: The Bureau of Labor Statistics]
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 Cook career 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
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:
Annual mean wage
$36,380
# of employees
35,210
Annual mean wage
$42,460
# of employees
67,980
Annual mean wage
$38,030
# of employees
41,870
Annual mean wage
$42,900
# of employees
51,320
[Source: The Bureau of Labor Statistics]
Non-Monetary Benefits and Perks for Cooks
Aside from salaries, non-monetary perks and 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 | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Food Runner | |
| Waiter/Waitress | |
| Sous Chef | |
| Dishwasher |
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.
There are multiple ways to increase your salary as a Cook. You can:
- 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 United States is $36,060.
On the other hand, Chefs earn a significantly higher average salary of $62,640.
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.
