Research Summary. Utilizing a blend of public government data, company statistics, and insights from thousands of recent job postings, the Zippia data team has compiled average salary estimates for cooking positions across the US. Based on this data, we have identified the highest-paying cook roles in the industry as of 2026.
Here’s a summary of our findings regarding the top-paying cook positions:
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Head Cook remains the highest-paid cook type, with an average salary of $47,500 and an average hourly rate of $22.83.
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The second highest-paid position is Banquet Cook, earning an average salary of $37,200.
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The overall average salary for cooks is now $35,000 per year, with an hourly rate of $16.83.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path in the culinary field can be challenging. While salary is a crucial consideration, it’s essential to understand the full scope of opportunities available. Knowing the highest-paying cook roles can help guide your career development and aspirations.
Here are the top salaries for various cook positions:
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Head Cook
Average Salary: $47,500
A head cook is crucial for managing food preparation and kitchen operations, ensuring that all dishes meet high-quality standards. Their responsibilities include overseeing food inventory, developing new recipes, staying updated on culinary trends, addressing guest feedback, delegating kitchen tasks, and adhering to budgetary constraints while maintaining food quality. Knowledge of health and safety regulations is also vital.
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Banquet Cook
Average Salary: $37,200
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Line Cook/Dishwasher
Average Salary: $36,800
A line cook/dishwasher plays a vital role in food preparation and maintaining cleanliness in the kitchen. Their tasks include chopping vegetables, portioning meat, making sauces, and following the executive chef’s instructions. They also contribute to cleaning kitchen equipment, managing ingredient inventories, and coordinating with kitchen staff for efficient service.
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Assistant Cook
Average Salary: $35,000
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Breakfast Cook
Average Salary: $34,500
Below is a comprehensive table showcasing the average salaries for various cooking positions, followed by an explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Cooks
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Head Cook | |
| 2 | Banquet Cook | |
| 3 | Line Cook/Dishwasher | |
| 4 | Assistant Cook | |
| 5 | Breakfast Cook | |
| 6 | Pantry Cook | |
| 7 | Line Cook, Prep Cook | |
| 8 | Line Cook | |
| 9 | Grill Cook/Prep | |
| 10 | Prep Cook | |
| 11 | Cook/Trainer | |
| 12 | Grill Cook | |
| 13 | Cook/Dishwasher | |
| 14 | Prep Cook/Dishwasher | |
| 15 | Kitchen Cook | |
| 16 | Mexican Food Cook | |
| 17 | Short Order Cook | |
| 18 | Fry Cook | |
| 19 | Cook/Server | |
| 20 | Pizza Cook |
Methodology
Zippia employs publicly available data from government sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), to generate its salary estimates.
Our data science team also reviews job postings and company resources for the latest salary information for cooks.
After gathering the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title. For more information on our salary estimates, you can read the detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Cook Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid cook job?
The highest-paid cook job is a head cook. Head Cooks earn an average salary of $47,500, which translates to $22.83 hourly.
A head cook is responsible for managing food preparation, kitchen operations, and ensuring quality standards. Their duties include overseeing inventory, developing recipes, staying informed on culinary trends, addressing guest feedback, delegating tasks, and meeting budget goals while ensuring high-quality food. Adherence to health and safety regulations is critical.
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What is a good salary for a cook?
A good salary for a cook is $35,000 or more. With the average cook salary at $35,000, those earning this amount or more are considered to be making above-average paychecks.
However, average cook salaries can vary significantly based on location, as employers adjust their pay scales according to the cost of living in different areas. It’s advisable to research the average salary for cooks in your area, considering your expertise and experience.
For those just starting, the average entry-level salary for cooks is approximately $26,000, so it’s important to consider your starting point rather than solely the average salary.
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Do cook jobs pay well?
Cook jobs can vary in pay. While some positions may not offer high salaries, the average cook salary of $35,000 is below the average national salary of about $50,000 per year.
That said, many cook jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% earning significantly more. Salaries can fluctuate based on experience, industry, and location, so it’s important to consider these factors when job searching. Research the going rate for cooks in your area and be prepared to negotiate your salary based on that information.
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Where do cooks get paid the most?
Hawaii is the state where cooks earn the highest pay. In Hawaii, cooks earn an average annual salary of $44,295, with an hourly wage of $21.30.
Following Hawaii, the states with the highest cook salaries include Connecticut, Nevada, and Washington, with average salaries of $38,000, $36,000, and $37,000 respectively.
The cities offering the best pay for cooks are:
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Seattle, WA – $39,000
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San Francisco, CA – $38,500
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Boston, MA – $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.
