Cook Jobs – November 2024 Job Listings
We’ve created a list of the top 10 Cook Jobs in the United States. Explore salaries, benefits, requirements and more.
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- View salaries & industry trends
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10 High-Paying Cook Jobs in the US (Hiring Now!)
Find Cook jobs across the United States you can apply for right now – whether you already have previous experience or you’re looking to start your Cook career.
Cook III
Culinary – Line Cook
Cafeteria Cook
Lead Cook
Prep Cook job
Banquet Cook – Substitute
Cook 1
Cook I (Part-Time)
Culinary – Line Cook
Production Cook/Baker
Cook Employment Trends in the United States
There are currently more than 1,412,350 Cooks working in the United States.
[Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics]
Cooks work in various locations, from restaurants and hotels to schools and hospitals.
As such, Cooks can find employment in various industries.
Industries that employ the most Cooks are:
[Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics]
This chart is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the map to see detailed data.
How Much Can You Earn From Cook Jobs in the US?
On average, Cooks working in the United States can earn about $17 per hour or $36,060 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
However, the actual pay that Cooks receive individually can vary based on several factors which include:
- Experience
- Familiarity with a particular cuisine
- Type of employer
- Industry
You can explore more about Cooks’ earnings on our Cook salary page.
How We Selected These Top 10 Cook Jobs
When choosing the best Cook jobs across the country, we focused on the following factors:
- Experience requirements: We focused on jobs that require varying levels of experience to give both experienced and new cooks a chance to find a job for which they can apply.
- Wage: We chose jobs that offer higher-than-average wages for the Cook position.
- Employer: We featured jobs that come from reputable companies or establishments.
- Benefits: We focused on jobs that offer superior benefits for Cook positions.
Cook Jobs FAQ
Yes, a Cook can move up the career ladder and become a Sous Chef, Head Chef or take charge as a Kitchen Manager.
To ace your upcoming Cook interview, review the steps below.
- Research the restaurant: Learn about the restaurant’s cuisine, style and reputation
- Review the job description: Understand the specific responsibilities and skills required for the cook position
- Practice cooking techniques: Brush up on basic cooking techniques and recipes relevant to the restaurant’s menu
- Prepare for technical questions: Anticipate questions about your experience, cooking methods and ability to handle various ingredients
- Highlight your experience: Showcase relevant experience, such as culinary training, previous cooking positions or specializations
- Demonstrate hygiene and food safety knowledge: Show that you understand food safety procedures and have knowledge of kitchen sanitation practices
- Be ready for a practical test: Some employers may include a cooking demonstration or tasting test in the hiring process.
- Dress professionally: Wear clean and appropriate attire for a kitchen environment
- Ask your own questions: Prepare thoughtful questions about the role, kitchen operations, and the restaurant’s culture
Yes, you can apply to Cook jobs even if you’re younger than 18.According to FLSA, minors younger than 18 can work in non-hazardous environment, and that includes the Cook role provided they don’t operate heavy cooking machinery.
Ultimately, some employers might require you to have a high-school diploma, which means that, for those positions, you will need to be roughly 18 years old, as it is the common age children in U.S. graduate from high school.
