Research Summary. Using a combination of public government and company data as well as data gathered from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has created average salary estimates for jobs across the US. Using that data set, the team has identified the types of cook/servers that are the highest paid based on their average annual salaries.
Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of cook/servers:
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Caterer/Server is the highest-paid type of cook/server with an average salary of $33,737 and an average hourly rate of $16.22.
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The second highest-paying type of cook/server is bartender server, with an average salary of $32,591.
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The average cook/server salary is $29,716 per year, and the average hourly pay is $14.29.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be difficult, and while pay shouldn’t be the only thing you consider in your decision, it is a significant factor. So if you’d like to work as a cook/server, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of cook/servers are so that you can plan your career progression.
Here are the top salaries for different types of cook/servers:
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Caterer/Server
Average Salary: $33,737
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Bartender Server
Average Salary: $32,591
Bartender servers are employees who work in the restaurant’s bar area. They are responsible for assembling customers’ drink orders and serving these to customers. They should be sound drink mixers and must be familiar with cocktail combinations and other mixes. They should also know the ingredients of the restaurant’s drinks and should be able to use alternatives should specific components be unavailable. Some bartender servers engage in flairtending, a way of mixing drinks that entertains the guests waiting for their drinks.
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Prep Cook
Average Salary: $32,292
Prep cooks are responsible for preparing ingredients. They are usually part of an assembly line-like structure in the kitchen. They are often the first station in this assembly line. Prep cooks are in charge of thawing, skinning, cutting, mincing, slicing, and chopping ingredients so that the line cooks can just get these ingredients for their own stations. Prep cooks may also start doing some of the initial activities in the cooking process, such as preparing water for boiling, laying out ingredients, and ensuring that the stoves are clear.
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Cook/Trainer
Average Salary: $32,271
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Grill Cook
Average Salary: $31,895
A grill cook’s primary role is to take charge of grilling food in restaurants or a similar establishment. Aside from grilling different kinds of food, they are also responsible for the plating, ensuring that it looks presentable and mouth-watering. Moreover, grill cooks have other duties such as preparing supplies and ingredients, maintaining the cleanliness of the work area, and training new members of the workforce. It is also essential to coordinate with other restaurant staff at all times as the operations can be fast-paced and will require accuracy and speed.
Below is a full table of the average pay for various cook/server that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Cook/Servers
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Caterer/Server | |
| 2 | Bartender Server | |
| 3 | Prep Cook | |
| 4 | Cook/Trainer | |
| 5 | Grill Cook | |
| 6 | Cook | |
| 7 | Cook/Dishwasher | |
| 8 | Kitchen Cook | |
| 9 | Mexican Food Cook | |
| 10 | Server/Barista | |
| 11 | Fry Cook | |
| 12 | Crew Member | |
| 13 | Line Server | |
| 14 | Server And Hostess | |
| 15 | Cinder Crew Worker | |
| 16 | Pizza Cook | |
| 17 | Cocktail Server | |
| 18 | Beverage Server | |
| 19 | Food Server | |
| 20 | Restaurant Server |
Methodology
Zippia uses publicly published 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 create its salary estimates.
Our data science team also checks job postings and company-published resources for additional up-to-date salary information for cook/servers.
Once they’ve gathered the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title they’re estimating a salary for. For more details on our salary estimates, you can read the detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Cook/Server Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid cook/server job?
The highest-paid cook/server job is a caterer/server. Caterer/Servers earn an average salary of $33,737, which is $ 16.22 hourly.
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What is a good salary for a cook/server?
A good salary for a cook/server is $29,716 or more. The average cook/server salary is $29,716, so those making at least $29,716 are earning above-average paychecks.
Keep in mind, however, that the average cook/server salary does fluctuate based on location, as companies will adjust their pay scales based on the cost of living in that area. Research what the average salary is in your area for someone of your expertise and experience level to get a more accurate view on how well you’re being paid.
In addition, if you’re just starting your career as a cook/server, the average entry level salary is $0, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $29,716 average, as this includes all cook/servers of all skill and experience levels.
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Do Cook/Server jobs pay well?
No, cook/server jobs don’t pay well. As in any industry, some cook/server jobs pay better than others, but the average cook/server salary of $29,716 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.
In addition to this, many cook/server jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of cook/servers earning $0 a year on average.
Cook/Servers’ salaries will fluctuate based on their experience level, industry, and location, so pay attention to these factors when you’re looking for a job as a cook/server. Do your research on the going rate for a cook/server in your area with your expertise, and don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary based on that information.
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Where do cook/servers get paid the most?
Cook/Servers get paid the most in Wisconsin. In Wisconsin, cook/servers earn an average annual salary of $32,016 and an average hourly wage of $15.39.
Following WI, the states with the highest-paid cook/servers are Alaska, North Dakota, and Washington, with average annual salaries of $40,354, $34,389, and $36,560 respectively.
The cities with the highest-paid cook/server salaries are:
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Bellingham, WA – $36,775
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Portland, OR – $35,058
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Troy, NY – $32,892
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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.
