Top 10 Cook Jobs in Miami, FL – May 2024 Salaries

Best Cook Jobs in Miami (Hiring Now!)

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Miami currently employs 37,000 Cooks, with the largest share in the restaurant industry (35,210), followed by fast food establishments (7,790).

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

Whether you’re aiming to start or advance in your culinary career, we’ve selected the highest-paying Cook positions available in Miami for you to apply to today.

1. Sodexo | $18 per hour

[Source: Sodexo]

• Position: Cook
• About: Sodexo, a worldwide corporation, offers sustainable food services and facilities management to a diverse array of clients, including businesses, hospitals, schools, universities and stadiums.
• Requirements: Strong teamwork and a positive attitude, adaptability and willingness to learn
• Salary: $37,440 per year
• Job type: Full-time
• Benefits: Paid time off, holidays, medical, dental, vision, tuition reimbursement, 401k
• Where to apply: Visit Sodexo’s career page

2. Zak The Baker | $19–$20 per hour

[Source: Zak The Baker]

• Position: Cook
• About: Zak the Baker is a renowned kosher restaurant and bakery, known for its sourdough and challah bread. Founded by local baker Zak Stern, it offers a variety of kosher food, bakery and deli items in its cafe and deli locations.
• Requirements: 1+ year of experience in a high-quality professional kitchen
• Salary: $39,520–$41,600 per year
• Job type: Full-time
• Benefits: Dental insurance, health insurance, vision insurance
• Where to apply: Visit Zak The Baker’s career page

3. Jackson Health System | $16.54–$20.96 per hour

[Source: Jackson Health System]

• Position: Cook 1
• About: Jackson Health System is a nonprofit academic medical system that provides high-quality care for Miami-Dade County residents, regardless of their ability to pay for the service.
• Requirements: High school diploma or GED, supervising experience
• Salary: $34,400–$43.600 per year
• Job type: Full-time
• Benefits: Flexible benefits program, career growth opportunities
• Where to apply: Visit Jackson Health System’s career page

4. RedFarm | $20–$23 per hour

[Source: Red Farm]

• Position: Wok Cook
• About: Red Farm is a modern Chinese restaurant with a focus on green market sensibility, best known for its yuzu wasabi and mushroom spring rolls.
• Requirements: 5 years of cooking, 2 years of restaurant experience
• Salary: $41,600–$47,840 per year
• Job type: Full-time/Part-time
• Benefits: Health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance
• Where to apply: Visit RedFarm’s career page

5. JW Marriott Miami | $15.24–$19.28 per hour

[Source: JW Marriott]

• Position: Cook 1
• About: Marriott International is a global hospitality company with over 30 brands and nearly 8,700 properties worldwide, providing diverse opportunities for people to connect and experience hospitality.
• Requirements: No special requirements
• Salary: $31,700–$40,100 per year
• Job type: Full-time
• Benefits: Health insurance, dental and vision insurance, paid time off, 401K
• Where to apply: Visit JW Marriott Miami’s career page

6. University of Miami | $17.98–$22.79 per hour

[Source: University of Miami]

• Position: Cook
• About: The University of Miami is a prestigious institution, renowned for its commitment to teaching, research and service.
• Requirements: High school diploma or GED, 1+ year of experience
• Salary: $37,400–$47,400 per year
• Job type: Full-time
• Benefits: Health insurance, dental insurance
• Where to apply: Visit the University of Miami’s career page

7. Fisher Island Club | $23–$25 per hour

[Source: Fisher Island Club]

• Position: Cook 1
• About: Fisher Island, once a natural haven, was transformed by Miami Beach founder Carl Fisher into an exclusive enclave. Today, Fisher Island is synonymous with luxury living, boasting world-class amenities and serving as a retreat for residents from around the globe.
• Requirements: Culinary experience, high school diploma or GED, bachelor’s degree, plating, advanced knife skills, food handler certification, kitchen experience
• Salary: $37,840–$52,000 per year
• Job type: Full-time
• Benefits: AD&D insurance, disability insurance, health insurance, dental insurance, 401(k), paid time off, vision insurance, life insurance
• Where to apply: Visit Fisher Island Club’s career page

8. SALVAJE Miami | $17.79–$22.50 per hour

[Source: Salvaje]

• Position: Cook
• About: SALVAJE offers a unique dining experience, fusing Japanese signature cuisine with a bold and innovative approach and a focus on quality ingredients from around the world.
• Requirements: 2 years of relevant work experience in a similar scope and title, experience within luxury brands/markets, food safety manager certification and certification from a culinary school is a plus
• Salary: $37,000–$46,800 per year
• Job type: Full-time
• Benefits: Dental insurance, health insurance, vision insurance
• Where to apply: Visit SALVAJE Miami’s career page

9. Loews Hotels & Co | $16.06–$20.34 per hour

[Source: Loews Hotels]

• Position: Cook 2
• About: Loews Hotel offers luxury accommodation with 242 guestrooms and suites, extensive meeting spaces, dining options and a vibrant pool deck.
• Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent, post-secondary culinary training/certification as a Cook from a recognized culinary training school, 1+ year of experience cooking in an upscale, high-volume hotel or freestanding restaurant
• Salary: $33,400–$42,300 per year
• Job type: Full-time
• Benefits: Health, dental and vision benefits/
plan options, paid time off, pet insurance options and pet bereavement time off, paid parental leave and backup childcare
• Where to apply: Visit Loews Hotels’ career page

10. Faena Hotels and Residences | $15.63–$19.81 per hour

[Source: Faena Hotels]

• Position: Cook 1
• About: Faena is a pioneering brand in lifestyle and hospitality, renowned for its transformative projects that integrate art, culture and social responsibility.
• Requirements: High school diploma or GED, demonstrated project management experience in organizing, planning and executing large-scale projects
• Salary: $32,500–$41,200 per year
• Job type: Full-time
• Benefits: Health insurance, 401k match, paid time off
• Where to apply: Visit Faena Hotels and Residences’ career page

Cook Salary Trends in Miami, FL

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average base salary for a Cook in Miami, FL is $36,380 per year or 17.34 per hour.

Miami

Annual mean wage

$36,380

New York City

Annual mean wage

$42,460

Chicago

Annual mean wage

$38,030

Los Angeles

Annual mean wage

$42,900

[Source: BLS]

Cook’s wage in Maimi is slightly higher than the U.S. average base salary which stands at $36,060 per year or $17.34 per hour.

What is the Workplace of a Cook Like?

According to BLS data, 10% of Cooks in the U.S. are employed in Restaurants and Other Eating Places, totaling 1,191,050 workers in this sector.

Explore the chart below to discover the primary industries for Cook employment.

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

Here’s a glimpse into the work settings for Cooks across the top industries:

Restaurants and Other Eating Places:

• Dynamic environment with a large number of orders
• Diverse menus and cuisines, ranging from casual to fine dining establishments
• Well-equipped kitchens with all sorts of specialized cooking equipment

Traveler Accommodation:

• Typically found in hotels, resorts and cruise ships
• Cooks cater to large numbers of guests with varied tastes and dietary needs, often working early mornings, late nights and weekends
• Menus may be customized for the diverse tastes and dietary restrictions of travelers

Drinking Places:

• The main focus is on preparing and serving bar snacks, appetizers and concise food menus
• Fast-paced environment during peak night hours or special events
• Enhanced interaction with customers compared to traditional restaurants
• Collaboration with other staff such as Bartenders for food and drink order coordination

Other Amusement and Recreation Industries:

• Usually found in theme parks, stadiums and entertainment complexes
• Cooks often work in concession stands, food courts or dining areas within the venues
• Increased demand during games, events and concerts
• Following strict food safety protocols due to large crowds and public health considerations

Special Food Services:

• Includes catering firms, mobile food vendors, event venues and other specialized food service providers
• Work settings vary depending on the particular specialization within the sector
• Adaptability in designing and executing menus to meet the clients’ preferences and follow the event themes
• Operating on the move may require flexibility to handle diverse locations and logistical hurdles
• Emphasis on providing meals for private gatherings, weddings, corporate events and various other occasions

Factors That Affect Cook Earnings

Many factors can impact the Cook’s salary, including:

• Experience: Seasoned Cooks usually get higher wages due to their special skills and proficiency in diverse cooking methods.
• Education and training: Formal culinary schooling or specialized instruction can result in better-paid opportunities, particularly in upscale dining establishments or luxury hotels.
• Location: Income can fluctuate significantly based on the cost of living and demand for Cooks across different regions or cities. Urban hubs or tourist hotspots might offer higher salaries to attract top talent.
• Type of establishment: Cooks employed in fine dining restaurants, high-end hotels or exclusive catering services often earn more than their counterparts in fast-food places or casual establishments.
• Specialization: Cooks with specialized knowledge in particular cuisines or culinary techniques, such as Pastry Chefs or Sushi Chefs, may command higher pay due to their niche skills.
• Responsibilities: Lead Cooks, Sous Chefs or Executive Chefs overseeing kitchen operations and personnel management typically get paid more compared to Line Cooks or Prep Cooks.
• Economic conditions: Economic conditions like inflation, dining-out trends and overall employment dynamics can influence Cook salaries and job availability.

Factor in tax deductions, as they can impact your take-home pay.

Use our paycheck calculator to assess your net earnings after tax deductions and find out your net pay.

Just enter your gross earnings, select your pay frequency, specify your state of employment and click the Calculate Tax button to get results.

Cook Career Outlook

As per the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are currently 1,412,350 employed Cooks across the United States.

The future employment prospects for Cooks show promising growth, with a projected 6% increase from 2022 to 2032, outpacing the average expansion rate for all professions.

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

Over the next decade, an estimated average of around 439,300 job opportunities for Cooks are foreseen annually.

This surge in openings is largely expected due to the need to replace workers transitioning to other careers or exiting the workforce, which includes retirements.

Average Number of Cook Jobs Per State

Explore the map below to get an insight into Cook’s employment across all U.S. states.

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

Is Cook the Right Role for You?

See if you have what it takes to be a Cook by taking our quiz below.

Legal Requirements for Cook Jobs in Miami

To work as a Cook in Miami, you need to fulfill the following legal conditions:

• You must be of legal age, typically at least 18 years, though specific roles, especially those involving alcohol, might have a higher age requirement.
• Obtaining a food handler certification is a must. This certification ensures you’re knowledgeable about safety and hygiene protocols essential for any food-related profession.
• Undergoing a background check is often mandatory, particularly if your role involves handling or serving alcohol.
• Though not always obligatory, a culinary degree or its equivalent experience can significantly bolster your job prospects.
• Adherence to Miami’s stringent health and safety regulations is non-negotiable and crucial for the well-being of both staff and patrons

It is also important to get familiar with the federal child labor laws detailed in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and its associated regulations.

These regulations set guidelines for both working hours and permissible occupations for young workers. For additional information, please visit our page on Florida Labor Laws.

In recent times, there has been a troubling increase in instances of child labor violations in the United States, as illustrated by the chart below showing such cases from 2015 to 2022.

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