Job outlook for first cooks in the United States

First cook job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:

The projected first cook job growth rate is 16% from 2018-2028.
About 419,300 new jobs for first cooks are projected over the next decade.
First cook salaries have increased 19% for first cooks in the last 5 years.
There are over 11,647 first cooks currently employed in the United States.
There are 149,060 active first cook job openings in the US.
The average first cook salary is $34,044.

Are first cook jobs in demand?

Yes, first cook jobs are in demand. First cook demand is projected to grow 16% from 2018 to 2028.

First cook job and salary trends over time

Compare the number of first cook jobs and the average first cook salary over time.

First cook jobs over time

First cook job growth rate over time

Year	# of jobs	% of population
2021	11,647	0.00%
2020	10,826	0.00%
2019	13,677	0.00%
2018	13,081	0.00%
2017	12,454	0.00%

Average first cook salary over time

First cook salary by year

Year	Avg. salary	Hourly rate	% Change
2026	$34,044	$16.37	+3.6%
2025	$32,851	$15.79	+4.7%
2024	$31,361	$15.08	+5.4%
2023	$29,765	$14.31	+4.3%
2022	$28,536	$13.72	+4.5%

Top first cook jobs near you

First cook jobs by state

The map below shows you the number of first cook job openings in each state. The darker areas on the map show where first cooks earn the highest salaries across all 50 states.

Most common states for first cooks

Rank	State	Population	# of jobs	Employment/ 1000ppl
1	Kansas	2,913,123	629	22%
2	Indiana	6,666,818	1,405	21%
3	Arkansas	3,004,279	637	21%
4	Tennessee	6,715,984	1,310	20%
5	Colorado	5,607,154	1,107	20%
6	Kentucky	4,454,189	870	20%
7	Florida	20,984,400	4,016	19%
8	Arizona	7,016,270	1,285	18%
9	Missouri	6,113,532	1,120	18%
10	Oklahoma	3,930,864	721	18%
11	Mississippi	2,984,100	535	18%
12	Louisiana	4,684,333	813	17%
13	Wyoming	579,315	99	17%
14	Georgia	10,429,379	1,680	16%
15	North Carolina	10,273,419	1,617	16%
16	Minnesota	5,576,606	902	16%
17	Iowa	3,145,711	506	16%
18	New Mexico	2,088,070	330	16%
19	Montana	1,050,493	173	16%
20	Alaska	739,795	118	16%

Most common cities for first cooks

Rank	City	# of jobs	Employment/ 1000ppl	Avg. salary
1	Laguna Hills	5	16%	$38,434
2	Arlington Heights	5	7%	$34,105
3	Dedham	1	4%	$39,791
4	Lakewood	5	3%	$36,371
5	Dover	1	3%	$36,331
6	Bellevue	1	2%	$30,076
7	Burnsville	1	2%	$36,988
8	Charlottesville	1	2%	$28,564
9	Edina	1	2%	$37,090
10	Lake Elsinore	1	2%	$38,322
11	Lakeville	1	2%	$36,911
12	Oakland	5	1%	$39,628
13	Omaha	4	1%	$30,119
14	New Orleans	2	1%	$27,754
15	Alhambra	1	1%	$38,605
16	Boston	2	0%	$39,819
17	Colorado Springs	1	0%	$36,191
18	Fresno	1	0%	$39,107

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