Prep Cook Salary in the United States
How Much Do Prep Cooks Make?- Are Prep Cooks Paid hourly or Salaried in Upscale Restaurants or Hotels?
- What Are the Factors Influencing Prep Cook Salary?
- How Much Is My Salary After Taxes?
- How Do I Make More Money as a Prep Cook?
- What Benefits & Perks Do Prep Cooks Often Get?
- Prep Cook Salary Compared to Other Back-of-House Roles
- Prep Cook Salary Data
Want to know how much a Prep Cook makes in the U.S.? This salary guide offers insights into the earning potential of Prep Cooks, the factors that can influence your salary grade and the ways you can make more money.
Before we dive in, use our comparison tool below to see how your current or target Prep Cook salary measures up in major U.S. cities.
How Much Do Prep Cooks Make?
Prep Cooks in the U.S. earn an average base salary of $32,427 per year (or $2,702 per month). Here are three proven ways they can earn more money:
- Gaining further culinary experience and skills
- Working in higher-end dining establishments
- Relocating to a city or state that has a higher average salary for this role
Depending on the policies of the establishment, Prep Cooks can also receive tips either through a tip pool or be tipped out by front-of-house staff such as Waiters, Servers and Hostesses.
What’s the Hourly Wage of Prep Cooks?
Prep Cooks make $15.59 per hour.
What’s the Weekly Rate of Prep Cooks?
Prep Cooks earn $623.60 a week.
Are Prep Cooks Paid hourly or Salaried in Upscale Restaurants or Hotels?
Prep Cooks are primarily paid hourly across most establishments, including upscale restaurants and hotels. This reflects the nature of kitchen operations, where shifts and hours can vary based on demand, event schedules, and seasonality.
- Hourly Pay Structure (Standard):
- Average Hourly Wage: $15.59
- Entry-Level Prep Cooks: $12 - $14 per hour
- Experienced Prep Cooks: $17 - $20 per hour in fine dining or high-end hotels
- Overtime: Prep Cooks working more than 40 hours per week are typically eligible for 1.5x their hourly rate under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
- Salaried Roles (Less Common):
- Salaried Prep Cook positions may exist in luxury hotels, resorts, or elite fine dining kitchens, but they are rare.
- Annual Salary Range: $36,000 - $42,000 (equivalent to $18 - $21/hour).
- Salaried Prep Cooks often work longer hours during peak seasons without receiving overtime pay. However, they may benefit from consistent schedules and access to benefits such as health insurance and paid time off.
Key Insight:
- Upscale restaurants and luxury hotels are more likely to offer salaried positions to experienced Prep Cooks who take on supervisory or specialized roles (e.g., garde manger, butchery, pastry prep).
- Hourly pay remains the standard, but opportunities for overtime can significantly increase overall earnings.
What Are the Factors Influencing Prep Cook Salary?
The level of experience, type of establishment and geographical location can influence a Prep Cook’s salary.
Level of experience
Entry-level Prep Cooks usually bring basic kitchen skills and a willingness to learn, which can lead to lower initial wages. As they gain experience and develop their culinary skills, their value in the kitchen increases, often resulting in higher pay.
Those who accumulate extensive experience and demonstrate advanced skills may also find opportunities to move into supervisory roles or specialized positions, reflecting their greater contributions to the kitchen team.
Geographic location
Establishments in locations with a high cost of living, such as Massachusetts, Washington and Vermont, offer significantly higher salaries than those in Oklahoma, Alabama and Mississippi.
In addition, if you’re working in states that implement a higher state minimum wage law compared to the federal minimum wage law, such as New York, at $15 per hour and California, at $16 per hour, you also get to enjoy more competitive wages.
Type of establishment
The type of establishment where a Prep Cook works greatly affects their salary. Fine dining restaurants, hotels and resorts generally pay more than casual or fast-food places because of the higher skill level and complexity involved. Smaller, independently owned spots tend to offer lower pay due to tighter budgets.
Chain restaurants and corporate-owned establishments may not pay as much as fine dining, but they often offer benefits like health insurance, paid time off and career advancement, making them attractive options.
See also: Prep Cook Demographics and Statistics
How Much Is My Salary After Taxes?
To help you manage your finances as a Prep Cook, it’s important to know your net pay.
Use our Paycheck Calculator below to see your take-home pay after statutory deductions.
How Do I Make More Money as a Prep Cook?
To advance in your career and earn a higher salary as a Prep Cook, consider obtaining additional culinary certifications. These can range from basic food safety courses to specialized training in areas like knife skills, sauce preparation or international cuisine.
Certifications not only enhance your resume but also signal to employers that you're serious about improving your craft. Here are some courses you should consider:
| Course Title | Provider | Focus Areas |
| Professional Cook Certification | Rouxbe Online Cooking School | Food safety, knife skills, cooking methods, sauce preparation, plating techniques |
| Culinary Arts Diploma | Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) | Fundamental skills, soups & sauces, meat and fish preparation, global cuisines |
| Associate Degree in Culinary Arts | Culinary Institute of America | Comprehensive culinary training, kitchen management, baking and pastry arts |
| Culinary Arts Training | New England Culinary Institute | Classical techniques, world cuisines, baking and pastry arts |
| Online Culinary School | Escoffier School of Culinary Arts | Culinary foundations, advanced cooking techniques, business skills in culinary arts |
Another way to make more money is by gaining experience in higher-end kitchens. Working in upscale restaurants, hotels, or catering services can expose you to more complex culinary techniques and higher pay rates.
Additionally, networking with Chefs and industry professionals can help you discover better-paying opportunities and open doors to promotions, such as moving into a Line Cook or Sous Chef position.
What Benefits & Perks Do Prep Cooks Often Get?
Employers in the U.S. offer the following benefits and perks to Prep Cooks:
- Commuter benefits: Some employers offer pre-tax commuter programs, helping you save on public transportation or parking costs related to your daily commute.
- Employee assistance program (EAP): EAPs provide free, confidential services like counseling, legal help and financial advice to support your personal and professional well-being.
- 401(k) matching: Employers may contribute to your retirement savings by matching a percentage of your 401(k) contributions, helping you grow your retirement fund faster.
- Paid time off (PTO): PTO gives you paid days for vacation, sick leave or personal time, providing work-life balance and allowing you to recharge.
- Tuition reimbursement: Some companies will help pay for classes or courses related to your job, enabling you to continue your education and improve your skills.
- Meal discounts: Many restaurants offer discounted or free meals to employees, making it more affordable to eat during or after shifts.
- Flexible schedule: Prep Cooks may enjoy the option of a flexible work schedule, allowing you to balance work with personal commitments or other jobs.
- Referral rewards program: Some employers offer bonuses if you refer a friend or colleague who gets hired, giving you a financial incentive for helping recruit talent.
- Life insurance: This benefit provides a financial safety net for your family in the event of your death, helping cover expenses such as funeral costs and ongoing living expenses.
Prep Cook Salary Compared to Other Back-of-House Roles
Prep Cooks earn more than Dishwashers but less than Line Cooks and Cooks.
Prep Cook Salary Data
All the salary figures in this guide are calculated based on averages from various job posting platforms. Check out our methodology page to learn more about our process of collecting and calculating salary data.