Research Summary. The Zippia data team has analyzed a combination of public government and company data, alongside insights from thousands of job postings, to create average salary estimates for line cook jobs across the United States in 2026. This research identifies the highest-paying line cook roles based on their average annual salaries.
Here is a summary of our findings regarding the highest-paying types of line cooks:
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Head Cook holds the title of the highest-paid line cook, with an average salary of $46,000 and an average hourly rate of $22.00.
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The second highest-paying role is the banquet cook, averaging $37,000 annually.
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The overall average salary for line cooks is around $35,000 per year, with an hourly wage of approximately $16.80.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be challenging, and while compensation is not the sole factor to consider, it plays a significant role. If you’re aspiring to work as a line cook, understanding the highest-paying roles can help guide your career development.
Here are the top salaries for various line cook positions:
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Head Cook
Average Salary: $46,000
A head cook is responsible for overseeing food preparation, managing kitchen operations, and ensuring food quality. Duties include monitoring inventory, creating recipes, analyzing market trends, responding to guest inquiries, assigning tasks to kitchen staff, and maintaining budget goals while ensuring high food quality. A head cook must adhere to sanitary procedures and possess a comprehensive understanding of the food industry.
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Banquet Cook
Average Salary: $37,000
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Line Cook/Dishwasher
Average Salary: $36,500
A line cook/dishwasher is primarily responsible for food prep and maintaining cleanliness in the workspace while adhering to health standards. Duties include washing and chopping vegetables, cutting meat, preparing sauces, and cooking according to an executive chef’s directions. They also clean kitchen tools and equipment, monitor ingredient inventory, unload stock deliveries, and manage leftovers. Effective communication with kitchen staff is essential for a smooth workflow.
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Lead Line Cook
Average Salary: $35,000
Lead line cooks typically work under the supervision of a chef or head cook. They oversee food preparation and are responsible for supervising kitchen staff, recruiting and training new employees, and ensuring food quality. Compliance with sanitation and nutrition regulations is necessary, as well as strong skills in food preparation, customer service, attention to detail, and communication.
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Assistant Cook
Average Salary: $34,500
Below is a comprehensive table of the average salaries for various line cook positions, highlighting the top earners, followed by a detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Line Cooks
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Head Cook | |
| 2 | Banquet Cook | |
| 3 | Line Cook/Dishwasher | |
| 4 | Lead Line Cook | |
| 5 | Assistant Cook | |
| 6 | Breakfast Cook | |
| 7 | Pantry Cook | |
| 8 | Line Cook, Prep Cook | |
| 9 | Grill Cook/Prep | |
| 10 | Prep Cook | |
| 11 | Cook/Trainer | |
| 12 | Grill Cook | |
| 13 | Cook | |
| 14 | Prep Cook/Dishwasher | |
| 15 | Kitchen Cook | |
| 16 | Mexican Food Cook | |
| 17 | Short Order Cook | |
| 18 | Fry Cook | |
| 19 | Pizza Cook | |
| 20 | Line Chef |
Methodology
Zippia utilizes publicly available information from government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to formulate salary estimates.
Our data science team also reviews job postings and company resources for current salary data on line cooks.
After gathering the data, a weighted average is calculated for each job title being assessed. For further details on our salary estimates, please consult our detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Line Cook Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid line cook job?
The highest-paid line cook job is a head cook. Head cooks earn an average salary of $46,000, equating to $22.00 per hour.
A head cook is responsible for organizing food preparation, managing kitchen operations, and ensuring food quality. Duties include monitoring inventory, creating new recipes, researching market trends, responding to guest inquiries, assigning kitchen tasks, and maintaining budget goals while ensuring high food quality. A head cook must adhere to sanitary procedures and possess extensive knowledge of the food industry.
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What is a good salary for a line cook?
A good salary for a line cook is $35,000 or more. The average salary for line cooks is approximately $35,000, so those earning at least this amount are receiving above-average pay.
However, it’s essential to note that the average line cook salary can vary by location, as employers adjust their pay scales based on local living costs. Research the average salary in your area for your experience level for a more accurate understanding of your compensation.
Additionally, if you are new to the line cooking field, the average entry-level salary is around $27,000, so don’t base your salary expectations solely on the $35,000 average, as this figure includes all experience levels.
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Do line cook jobs pay well?
The pay for line cook jobs varies. While some line cook positions offer higher compensation than others, the average salary of $35,000 is below the average national salary of around $50,000 per year.
However, many line cook roles have potential for higher earnings, with the top 10% of line cooks making around $40,000 annually.
Line cooks’ salaries will fluctuate based on experience level, industry, and location, so keep these factors in mind when seeking line cook employment. Conduct research on the current pay rates for line cooks in your area and don’t hesitate to negotiate your salary accordingly.
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Where do line cooks get paid the most?
Line cooks earn the highest salaries in Nevada. In Nevada, line cooks earn an average annual salary of $36,500, with an hourly wage of $17.50.
Following Nevada, the states with the highest line cook salaries include Hawaii, Colorado, and Washington, with average annual salaries of $45,602, $39,000, and $41,000 respectively.
The cities with the highest-paying line cook positions are:
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Seattle, WA – $42,000
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San Francisco, CA – $40,000
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New York, NY – $38,000
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Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
