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Create CVIf you’re searching for cook salary US, you’re likely trying to understand what cooks actually earn in real-world kitchens across America. Unlike many salaried professions, cook pay is heavily influenced by hourly wages, tips, restaurant type, and experience level.
This guide goes beyond average numbers and breaks down how compensation actually works in kitchens, including:
Hourly vs annual cook salary in the US
Salary differences by restaurant type, location, and specialization
Total compensation including tips, overtime, and benefits
How cooks increase their income and move into higher-paying roles
Real hiring insights from restaurant operators and chefs
The average cook salary in the US varies widely depending on the type of establishment and experience level.
2026 US Salary Benchmarks:
Hourly Pay: $13 – $22 per hour
Average Hourly Wage: ~$17/hour
Annual Salary (Full-Time): $28,000 – $45,000
Average Annual Salary: ~$35,000
Entry-level cook: ~$2,200 – $2,800/month
Mid-level cook: ~$2,800 – $3,500/month
Hourly: $13 – $16
Annual: $26,000 – $32,000
Hourly: $15 – $19
Annual: $30,000 – $40,000
Hourly: $18 – $22
Annual: $38,000 – $45,000
$12 – $16/hour
$25,000 – $32,000 annually
Minimal benefits
$14 – $18/hour
$28,000 – $38,000 annually
Some benefits and stability
Experienced cook: ~$3,500 – $4,500/month
Most cooks increase earnings through overtime:
45–60 hour workweeks are common
Overtime can add $5K–$15K annually
Hourly: $20 – $25
Annual: $42,000 – $55,000
Key insight: Salary growth is tied more to kitchen environment and responsibility than just years of experience.
$18 – $25/hour
$38,000 – $55,000 annually
Higher standards, more pressure
$18 – $26/hour
$40,000 – $60,000 annually
Strong benefits packages
$20 – $30/hour
$45,000 – $70,000+ potential
Key insight: The biggest pay jump comes from moving out of low-margin restaurants into premium environments.
New York City: $18 – $25/hour
San Francisco: $20 – $28/hour
Los Angeles: $18 – $24/hour
Chicago: $16 – $22/hour
Dallas: $15 – $20/hour
Important: Cost of living often offsets higher wages in major cities.
Primary income source
Paid weekly or biweekly
Time-and-a-half after 40 hours
Major contributor to total earnings
Limited for cooks in most restaurants
Tip pooling increasing in some markets
Healthcare (mostly in hotels and large groups)
Paid time off (limited in smaller restaurants)
Higher-end kitchens pay more due to:
Higher menu pricing
Larger profit margins
Skilled labor demand
Cooks with specialized skills earn more:
Grill cooks
Sushi chefs
Pastry cooks
In hiring, chefs value:
Ability to handle volume
Consistency under pressure
This directly impacts pay and promotions.
Restaurants often operate with thin margins, which limits salary growth despite demand.
The fastest way to earn more:
High-paying niches:
Sushi preparation
Butchery
Pastry and baking
These offer:
Higher pay
Better benefits
More stable schedules
Lead line cook
Kitchen supervisor
These roles significantly increase hourly rates.
Hourly: $14
Annual: ~$29,000
Minimal benefits
Hourly: $17
Overtime: +$5,000
Total: ~$40,000
Hourly: $22
Overtime: +$8,000
Total: ~$50,000
Cook: $25K – $45K
Sous Chef: $50K – $75K
Executive Chef: $70K – $120K+
The biggest salary jump comes when moving into:
Management (Sous Chef)
High-end establishments
Fast food and low-margin restaurants limit earning potential.
Overtime is a major income driver.
Generalist cooks earn less than specialists.
A cook salary in the US depends heavily on where you work and how you position your skills.
Entry-level: ~$26K–$32K
Mid-level: ~$30K–$40K
Experienced: ~$40K–$55K+
The biggest income drivers are kitchen type, overtime, and specialization.
Unlike structured careers, cooking rewards those who strategically move into higher-paying environments and continuously develop their skills.
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