Competition can be high in a city with a major culinary presence, but a targeted strategy can help you land the right role:
Showcase Adaptability – Hiring managers look for those who can handle last-minute menu changes, busy hours, and the discipline to keep a calm head when orders pile up.
Fine-Tune Your Resume – Emphasize relevant cooking experience, whether it’s formal culinary school or self-acquired skills. Include any specialties like pastry making or grilling.
Develop Core Kitchen Skills – Gaining basic knife skills, speed, and a strong work ethic makes a difference. If you’re new, entry-level positions such as Prep Cook help you learn the basics.
Browse OysterLink – This specialized hospitality platform frequently updates with listings for Cook positions in New York, allowing you to apply for openings that match your background.
Network in the Culinary Scene – Attend local food events or cooking workshops where you can meet chefs, managers, and culinary school graduates who can introduce you to openings.
Cook Employment Trends in NYC
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are 107,660 Cooks working in the New York-Newark-Jersey City area.
The largest portion of Cooks works in the restaurant industry (67,980), followed by fast food establishments (16,480).
Below is a graph showing the breakdown of Cook employment in this metropolitan area:
[Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics] This graph is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the graph to see detailed data.
Cook’s Salary Compared to Similar Positions in NYC
On average, Cooks in NYC earn more than Dishwashers but slightly less than Food Runners and Waiters and significantly less than Sous Chefs.
Yes, there are many Cook jobs in NYC that pay well (as our list above shows). Moreover, with an average annual salary of $42,460, Cooks working in NYC tend to earn higher salaries than the those in Miami ($3,031) and Chicago ($3,169).
The position of a Cook can be stressful, especially in high-volume kitchen environments during busy periods.
NYC, with its highly competitive restaurant industry, puts added stress on aspiring Cooks.
However, as you gain experience and additional skills, the stresses associated with the Cook role will gradually decrease.
With dedication, experience and ongoing training, Cooks in NYC can advance to higher positions such as Sous Chefs, Executive Chefs, or Kitchen Managers.
They may also have opportunities to specialize in particular cuisines or culinary techniques, pursue certifications or even open their own restaurants or catering businesses.
Additionally, some Cooks choose to further their education by attending culinary school or participating in apprenticeship programs to broaden their skills.
How We Picked Cook Jobs in NYC
When choosing Cook jobs in New York City, we focused on the following factors:
Hourly wage: We chose to feature NYC jobs that offered above-average wages for Cooks.
Benefits: We focused on jobs that offered extensive benefits to its employees.
Employer reputation: We chose jobs posted by known and established NYC employers.