How To Become A First Cook: What It Is and Career Path

What is a first cook and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

The average first cook salary is $34,044. The most common degree is a associate degree degree with an culinary arts major. It usually takes 2-4 years of experience to become a first cook. First cooks with a Certified Food Manager (CFM) certification earn more money. Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 16% and produce 419,300 job opportunities across the U.S.

ScoreFirst CookUS Average

Salary

2.7

Avg. Salary $34,044

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.2

Growth rate 16%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

8.2

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.02%

Asian 9.32%

Black or African American 8.81%

Hispanic or Latino 20.49%

Unknown 4.52%

White 55.84%

Gender

female 22.79%

male 77.21%

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

Key steps to become a first cook

Explore first cook education requirements

Most common first cook degrees

Associate

44.2 %

Bachelor's

21.0 %

High School Diploma

20.5 %

Start to develop specific first cook skills

Skills	Percentages
Cleanliness	33.11%
Patients	14.49%
Food Handling	8.05%
Culinary	7.11%
Kitchen Equipment	5.75%

Complete relevant first cook training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New first 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 first cook based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real first cook resumes.

Research first cook duties and responsibilities

Maintain all charts and records according to ServSafe and Michigan USDA standards
Provide technical instruction and expert guidance on food preparation to earn culinary arts competitions.
Measure ingredients, using measuring cups and spoons.
Assist in loading and unloading of groceries to vessel.

Prepare your first cook resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your first 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 first 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 first cook resume templates

Build a professional first 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 first cook resume.