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What is a back line cook and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a back line cook. For example, did you know that they make an average of $14.95 an hour? That's $31,093 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 16% and produce 419,300 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreBack Line CookUS Average
Salary
2.4

Avg. Salary $31,093

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.2

Growth rate 16%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
8.6
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.10%

Asian 8.17%

Black or African American 10.29%

Hispanic or Latino 15.25%

Unknown 4.65%

White 60.54%

Gender

female 27.35%

male 72.65%

Age - 37
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 37
Stress level
6.2

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
4.3

Complexity level is basic

7 - challenging

Work life balance
7.4

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Back line cook career paths

Key steps to become a back line cook

  1. Explore back line cook education requirements

    Most common back line cook degrees

    High School Diploma

    45.6 %

    Bachelor's

    22.1 %

    Associate

    15.2 %
  2. Start to develop specific back line cook skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Dishes27.15%
    Kitchen Equipment9.50%
    Safety Standards6.79%
    Back Line5.69%
    Food Preparation5.22%
  3. Complete relevant back line cook training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New back line cooks learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a back line cook based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real back line cook resumes.
  4. Research back line cook duties and responsibilities

    • Develop ability to manage multiple stations simultaneously while maintaining high levels of culinary excellence.
    • Leverage teamwork to fully utilize kitchen staff to generate remarkable food and service to ensure customer satisfaction.
    • Can make and food at mcdonalds.
  5. Prepare your back line cook resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your back line cook resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a back line cook resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable back line cook resume templates

    Build a professional back line cook resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your back line cook resume.
    Back Line Cook Resume
    Back Line Cook Resume
    Back Line Cook Resume
    Back Line Cook Resume
    Back Line Cook Resume
    Back Line Cook Resume
    Back Line Cook Resume
    Back Line Cook Resume
    Back Line Cook Resume
  6. Apply for back line cook jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a back line cook job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first back line cook job

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Are you a back line cook?

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Average back line cook salary

The average back line cook salary in the United States is $31,093 per year or $15 per hour. Back line cook salaries range between $24,000 and $39,000 per year.

Average back line cook salary
$31,093 Yearly
$14.95 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do back line cooks rate their job?

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Back line cook reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2021
Pros

A total time you spend knowing and communicate and get attachment to the clients

Cons

Leaving work when it's time to leave


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2020
Pros

I like being able to work with food and get creative. I enjoy learning new techniques for a set of skills that can be applied outside the workplace.

Cons

It's pretty stressful on the body. I definitely could not see myself doing this the rest of my life; I am 19 and I can admit it's hard work - and I would consider myself in shape. Like dishwashers, I do consider myself underappreciated as well. We don't make very much money - In some cases, the servers make more than us! I think it's because our specific organization doesn't allow the kitchen staff to get tips at all.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2020
Pros

I love to cook make arts everyday from cooking most especially making salads

Cons

I don’t like to be underestimated in my field, I don’t like to be looked down on in my field


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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