Top 10 Cook Jobs – July 2024 Job Listings

Best Cook Jobs in the US (Hiring Now!)

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. currently employs 2,666,500 Cooks. The majority are employed in the restaurant industry (1,412,350), followed by fast-food establishments (673,490).

[Source: BLS]
This chart is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the chart to see detailed data. 

 

Whether you’re looking to get a job or want to change your current one, we’ve selected the highest-paying Cook positions available in the U.S. for you to apply to today.

1. Summit Food Service | $22 per hour

  [Source: Summit Food Service]

• Position: Cook
• Location: Wahoo, NE
• About: Summit is a leading managed services provider specializing in catering to the needs of correctional facilities nationwide.
• Requirements: At least one year of culinary experience in a quality and high-volume establishment
• Salary: $45,760 per year
• Job type: Full-time
• Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401k, sick time off
• Where to apply: Visit Summit Food Service’s career page

2. Sheraton San Jose | $22 per hour

  [Source: Sheraton San Jose]

• Position: Cook 1
• Location: Milpitas, CA
• About: Sheraton San Jose is a hotel chain owned by Marriott International. It offers a refreshing travel experience with stylish rooms, modern amenities and a range of offerings including a fitness center, outdoor pool and dining options.
• Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent and/or experience in a hotel or a related field preferred, culinary experience
• Salary: $45,760 per year
• Job type: Full-time
• Benefits: Generous hotel and food discounts, comprehensive benefits program
• Where to apply: Visit Sheraton San Jose’s career page

3. US Veterans Health Administration | $22.73–$26.49 per hour

  [Source: US Veterans Health Administration]

• Position: Cook
• Location: Minneapolis, MN
• About: The Veterans Health Administration is the largest integrated healthcare system in the United States, offering comprehensive care through over 1,300 facilities including medical centers and outpatient clinics, catering to the needs of around 9 million veterans annually.
• Requirements: U.S. citizen, open to a background/suitability investigation, designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Salary: Up to $23,639–$27,549 per year
• Job type: Part-time
• Benefits: Health insurance
• Where to apply: Visit the US Veterans Health Administration’s career page

4. The Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel | $26.88 per hour

[Source: The Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel]

• Position: Banquet Cook
• Location: Boston, MA
• About: Fairmont Copley Plaza is a historic Boston landmark offering a blend of splendor and modern luxury, with first-class service, exquisite dining options and state-of-the-art amenities.
• Requirements: One year of experience
• Salary: $55,910 per year
• Job type: Full-time
• Benefits: 401(k), 401(k) matching, dental insurance, health insurance, paid time off, vision insurance
• Where to apply: Visit The Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel’s career page

5. Stanford Health Care | $33.32 per hour

[Source: Stanford Health Care]

• Position: Relief Cook
• Location: Palo Alto, CA
• About: Stanford Health Care integrates clinical care, research and education to advance the understanding and practice of medicine, ensuring the highest quality of care for individuals and communities.
• Requirements: High school diploma or GED equivalent, one year of cooking and directly related work experience
• Salary: Up to $34,652 per year
• Job type: Part-time
• Benefits: Health insurance
• Where to apply: Visit Stanford Health Care’s career page

6. Four Seasons | $26.46 per hour

[Source: Four Seasons]

• Position: Cook 3
• Location: New York, NY
• About: Four Seasons operates luxury hotels and resorts worldwide, offering exceptional accommodation, dining, spa and event services.
• Requirements: A culinary degree and work experience, work authorization document
• Salary: $55,036 per year
• Job type: Full-time
• Benefits: Medical, dental and vision insurance, holiday, vacation and sick pay
• Where to apply: Visit Four Seasons’ career page

7. Stanford Court Hotel | $34.47 per hour

[Source: Stanford Court Hotel]

• Position: Cook
• Location: San Francisco, CA
• About: Stanford Court is a boutique hotel in San Francisco’s Nob Hill, offering newly redesigned rooms with a blend of modern style and comfort as well as the city’s local dining, entertainment and cultural scenes.
• Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent and/or experience in a hotel or a related field preferred
• Salary: $71,697 per year
• Job type: Full-time
• Benefits: Paid time off, competitive pay
• Where to apply: Visit Stanford Court Hotel’s career page

8. St. Charles Health System | $20.80–$26.00 per hour

[Source: St. Charles Health System]

• Position: Cook
• Location: Bend, OR
• About: St. Charles Health System is the primary provider of medical care in Central Oregon, boasting four hospitals and over 275 medical providers.
• Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent, food handlers card or ServSafe food handler certification
• Salary: Up to $21,632–$27,040 per year
• Job type: Part-time
• Benefits: Caregiver-directed health plan, prime PPO plan select, dental plan, vision plan
• Where to apply: Visit St. Charles Health System’s career page

9. John Muir Health | $30.98–$38.08 per hour

[Source: John Muir Health]

• Position: Cook
• Location: Concord, CA
• About: John Muir Health is a leading healthcare provider in the San Francisco Bay Area, offering a comprehensive system of doctors, hospitals and services focused on delivering the highest quality patient care.
• Requirements: Education/training in food services, culinary training preferred, 1–3 years of experience in food services, ServSafe certification preferred
• Salary: Up to $32,219–$39,603 per year
• Job type: Part-time
• Benefits: Health insurance, commuting alternatives, retirement plan
• Where to apply: Visit John Muir Health’s career page

10. El Camino Health | $31.49–$39.04 an hour

[Source: El Camino Health]

• Position: First Cook
• Location: Los Gatos, CA
• About: El Camino Health is a leading healthcare provider in the San Francisco Bay Area, comprising distinguished hospitals in Los Gatos and Mountain View, offering high-quality healthcare and innovative approaches to care.
• Requirements: Three years of quantity cooking experience in healthcare or hospitality, AA degree in hospitality or certification from an accredited culinary institute
• Salary: Up to $32,749–$40,101 per year
• Job type: Part-time
• Benefits: Medical, dental and vision plans, flexible spending accounts and transit benefit, generous paid time off, 403(b) retirement plan with matching contribution
• Where to apply: Visit El Camino Health’s career page

How Much Do Cooks Make in the US?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average base salary for a Cook in the United States is $36,060 per year.

Browse the map below for annual Cook salaries across the U.S. states.

[Source: BLS]

This map is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the map to see detailed data. 

Some Cook earn as little as $26,980 (10th percentile) per year, while others may earn as much as $46,420 (90th percentile) per year.

[Source: BLS]

Put simply, if you’re in the 90th percentile, you make more than 90% of all Cooks in the U.S. With an income of $46,420, you’re among the top 10% of earners in this field.

On the flip side, being in the 10th percentile means you earn less than 90% of the group. Therefore, with a salary of $26,980, you’re in the lowest 10% of earners among Cooks.

Cook Hourly Wage

The average hourly wage for a Cook in the U.S. is $17.34 per hour.

Cook salary also varies across the four major U.S. cities, with Los Angeles being the highest-paying ($20.63 per hour) and Miami being the lowest-paying of the four cities (17.49 per hour).

Miami

Hourly wage

$17.49

Annual mean wage

$36,380

New York City

Hourly wage

$20.41

Annual mean wage

$42,460

Chicago

Hourly wage

$18.28

Annual mean wage

$38,030

Los Angeles

Hourly wage

$20.63

Annual mean wage

$42,900

[Source: BLS]

Where Do Most Cooks Work?

Based on BLS data, about 10% of Cooks in the United States are employed within Restaurants and Other Eating Places, constituting a workforce of approximately 1,191,050 individuals in this industry.

Explore the graph below to uncover the sectors that employ the Cooks the most.

[Source: BLS]

This graph is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the graph to see detailed data. 

Here’s a glimpse into the work environments for Cooks within various industries:

Restaurants and Other Eating Places:

• Vibrant atmosphere with a high volume of orders
• Varied menus offering cuisines ranging from casual to fine dining
• Well-equipped kitchens furnished with specialized cooking gear

Traveler Accommodation:

• Commonly situated in hotels, resorts and cruise ships
• Cooks cater to the diverse tastes and dietary requirements of numerous guests

Drinking Places:

• Mainly focused on preparing and serving bar snacks and appetizers
• Fast-paced environment, particularly during peak nighttime hours or special events
• Enhanced interaction with customers compared to traditional dining establishments

Other Amusement and Recreation Industries:

• Typically found in theme parks, stadiums and entertainment complexes
• Cooks may operate in concession stands, food courts or dining areas within these venues
• Increased demand during games, events and concerts, necessitating adherence to strict food safety standards due to large crowds and public health concerns

Special Food Services:

• Encompasses catering companies, mobile food vendors, event venues and other specialized food service providers
• Work settings vary depending on the specific specialization within the industry
• Operating on-the-go may require adaptability to diverse locations and logistical challenges
• Emphasis on providing meals for private gatherings, weddings, corporate events and various other occasions

Top Paying States for Cooks

Two of the top-paying states in the U.S. for Cooks are Hawaii ($45,060) and Washington ($44,410), while the states that offer the lowest salaries are Mississippi ($29,010) and West Virginia ($28,090).

[Source: BLS]

This graph is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the graph to see detailed data. 

Cook Career: Pros & Cons

Working as a Cook offers a blend of rewards and challenges.

Pros of being a Cook:

• Passion pursuit: If you have a genuine love for cooking, pursuing it as a career can be deeply fulfilling. It allows you to turn your passion into a profession, leading to a sense of purpose and satisfaction in your work.
• Creativity: Cooking allows you to express your creativity through food, experimenting with flavors, ingredients and presentation to create unique and delicious dishes.
• Versatility: A career in cooking offers a wide range of opportunities, from working in restaurants and hotels to catering, food styling, recipe development and more.
• Continuous learning: The culinary world is constantly evolving, with new techniques, ingredients and cuisines emerging all the time. For this reason, a career in cooking offers endless opportunities for learning and growth.

Cons of being a Cook:

• Long hours: The hours can be demanding in the culinary industry, especially in restaurants. Cooks often work evenings, weekends and holidays, sacrificing personal time for their careers. This can lead to burnout and strain on personal relationships.
• Physical demands: Cooking is a physically demanding activity, requiring long periods of standing, lifting heavy pots and pans, and working in hot, crowded kitchens. This can take a toll on your body over time, leading to fatigue.
• High stress: The fast-paced environment of a kitchen can be incredibly stressful, especially during busy service times. There’s constant pressure to perform under tight deadlines, and mistakes can have serious consequences.
• Low pay (at entry level): Entry-level positions in the culinary industry often come with low pay, especially in restaurants. It can take years of hard work and dedication to reach higher-paying positions like head chef or executive chef.