Q: What degree do you need to be a line cook?

You do not need a degree to be a line cook. You work at the chef's direction and would do best to arrive with a strong understanding of various cooking methods, ingredients, and equipment.

Q: Do line cooks make good money?

No, most line cooks do not make good money. The average pay for a line cook is around $12 an hour. If you have earned a degree or have a background in culinary school, you can earn up to $18 an hour as a line cook.

Q: How much do line cooks work?

Line cooks work consistently. Line cook positions may be part-time or full-time. The hours are highly varied compared to the 9 AM - 5 PM workday. Work is scheduled around meals such as breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Some restaurants may host events or stay open 24 hours, and you can find a position with plenty of hours if you look.

Question 1

How long does it take to become a Line Cook?

Accepted Answer

It takes 2 years of professional experience to become a line cook. That is the time it takes to learn specific line cook skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education.

Question 2

Is being a line cook stressful?

Accepted Answer

Being a line cook is stressful, but it comes with an adrenaline rush and lifestyle that some people are drawn to and enjoy. Do you thrive in the chaos of a busy kitchen?

There are many perks to the job: working on a team, often enjoying free food, and bringing satisfaction to customers every day. It's a social and physical role where timing, attention to detail, and a certain amount of creativity may all be important.

Question 3

What degree do you need to be a line cook?

Accepted Answer

You do not need a degree to be a line cook. You work at the chef's direction and would do best to arrive with a strong understanding of various cooking methods, ingredients, and equipment.

Question 4

What is the difference between a cook and a line cook?

Accepted Answer

The difference between a line cook and a cook is that "cook" is a general term and line cooks have specific stations they work within a kitchen line. You may also hear terms like short-order cook, which refers to cooks working in coffee shops preparing quick meals.

Question 5

What is the role of a scheduler?

Accepted Answer

A scheduler's role is to serve as the coordinator for schedules and appointments. Schedulers must listen to the needs of those requesting appointments to determine the amount of time the appointment will require and then find the time that works best for both parties.

Question 6

What makes a good line cook?

Accepted Answer

A good line cook enjoys being part of a team in a busy kitchen. The workflow in a kitchen is fairly constant, so you are less likely to be bored. You learn to love the rhythm while being surrounded by other people and delicious smells.

Question 7

What is a good starting salary for a Line Cook?

Accepted Answer

A good starting salary for a line cook is $25,000 in the United States. That puts you in the 10th percentile of annual income for a line cook in the U.S., which is about what you would expect if you were new to the field. The average salary for line cooks is $31,250, but that normally requires some level of experience to achieve. Furthermore, a good starting salary for a line cook can vary by state.

Question 8

Do line cooks make good money?

Accepted Answer

No, most line cooks do not make good money. The average pay for a line cook is around $12 an hour. If you have earned a degree or have a background in culinary school, you can earn up to $18 an hour as a line cook.

Question 9

How much do line cooks make per year?

Accepted Answer

Line cooks make $24,000 to $34,000 a year, or between $11 and $16 per hour. Pay varies on location, experience, and restaurant demographics. You can earn more with a culinary arts degree or simply through impressing your team. Line cook work is both a fast-paced practical skill, but also an art.

Question 10

How much do line cooks work?

Accepted Answer

Line cooks work consistently. Line cook positions may be part-time or full-time. The hours are highly varied compared to the 9 AM - 5 PM workday. Work is scheduled around meals such as breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Some restaurants may host events or stay open 24 hours, and you can find a position with plenty of hours if you look.

Question 11

What is a good wage for a cook?

Accepted Answer

A good wage for a line cook is anything from $15 an hour upwards, the more common salary for a line cook is $13 an hour. If you are serving expensive dishes in a prime area at a thriving restaurant, your pay should reflect this by being higher.

Question 12

Can a line cook make 100k?

Accepted Answer

No, you cannot make $100,000 per year as a line cook. It is highly unlikely to earn over $100k because the average annual salary for a line cook is $31,250. Even line cooks in higher-paid positions do not typically earn more than $37,000 per year.

Question 13

How much do line cooks get paid?

Accepted Answer

Line cooks get paid between $11-$16 an hour, with an average close to $13 an hour. That works out to between $23,000 to $34,000 a year, but a highly qualified line cook with a degree may earn up to $41,000 annually.

Question 14

Is line cook a good job?

Accepted Answer

Line cook is a good job if you enjoy working with food. Line cooks work under the direction of the head chef in a busy restaurant.

Line cooks typically work at a station where they are responsible for preparing foods, anything from grilling to baking, and cleaning and maintaining their area. It is a job that can be done full-time or part-time and keeps you moving while working as part of a team.

Question 15

What percentage of Line Cooks are female?

Accepted Answer

28.3% of line cooks are female in the United States. This is 0.3 percentage points higher than last year. Additionally, the percentage of female line cooks has decreased by -1.9 percentage points since 2010. That means there are a total of 339,127 female line cooks in the U.S. and 859,202 male line cooks in the United States. Note that Zippia's estimate accounts only for the 1,198,329 people with the specific job title of line cook and doesn't include grouping similar job titles, or people with potentially similar credentialing.

Question 16

How do I write a prep cook resume?

Accepted Answer

You write a resume for a prep cook by describing all your experience in prep cook roles and accomplishments achieved within your roles. Additionally, it will be important to note any relevant certifications you have earned and the hard and soft skills you have developed that relate to the food industry.

Question 17

How do you describe a line cook job on a resume?

Accepted Answer

You describe a line cook job on a resume by listing all the duties and responsibilities you completed in your line cook job. You should also note any specific achievements that you have as a line cook and detail the skills you developed in your work and relevant educational experiences.

Question 18

What are a line cook's responsibilities?

Accepted Answer

A line cook's responsibilities are to prepare food and set up other necessary supplies. They make sure everything has been set up correctly before starting work.

Line cooks cook and plate food under the supervision and direction of a head cook, sous chef, or head chef. Restaurants typically have multiple line cooks, each working a different station based on that restaurant's menu.

Question 19

What should I put on my resume for a line cook job?

Accepted Answer

You should put all your education and experience relating to being a line cook on your resume for a line cook job. Additionally, it will be important to note any certifications you have earned and the relevant hard and soft skills you have developed in kitchen environments.

Frequently asked questions about line cooks

Questions about becoming a line cook