How to hire a line cook

How to hire a line cook, step by step

Here's a step-by-step line cook hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a line cook job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new line cook
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a line cook do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The line cook hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

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   Hiring the perfect line cook also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list presents line cook salaries for various positions.

   Type of Line Cook	Description	Hourly rate
   Line Cook	Cooks prepare, season, and cook a wide range of foods, which may include soups, salads, entrees, and desserts.	$12-19
   Prep Cook/Dishwasher	A prep cook and dishwasher is responsible for cleaning and sanitizing kitchen items and utensils, and performing basic cooking tasks under the supervision of chefs or cooks. It is also their responsibility to prepare ingredients by washing, chopping, weighing, and ensuring that they are the correct quantity and quality... Show more	$12-18
   Short Order Cook	A short-order cook takes responsibility for preparing foods in cafes and restaurants. Usually, they fry eggs, cook fries, and prepare sandwiches... Show more	$11-18

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Culinary
   • Sanitation Standards
   • Food Handling
   • Team Work
   • Kitchen Equipment
   • Cleanliness
   • Quality Food
   • Quality Standards
   • Food Orders
   • Customer Service
   • Basic Math
   • Food Processors
   • Dexterity
   • Safety Standards

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Used strong organizational skills to manage steamers efficiently for both eat-in and take-out services.
   • Supervise cooks and manage the preparation, portioning, garnishing, and storage of all food items, cutting meat size.
   • Manage the POS system (adding/deleting specials, editing prices, viewing server appetizer/dessert sales and their server report information).
   • Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
   • Used equipment such as meat slicers, salamanders and steamers.
   • Develop food preparation skills and knowledge of tools involve; such as proper use of knives and automate slicers.

   More line cook duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your line cook job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A line cook salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, line cooks' average salary in mississippi is 50% less than in hawaii.
   • Seniority. Entry-level line cooks earn 35% less than senior-level line cooks.
   • Certifications. A line cook with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a line cook's salary.

   Average line cook salary

   $15.81hourly

   $32,894 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level line cook salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 25, 2025

   Average line cook salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Washington	$41,098	$20
   2	California	$39,493	$19
   3	New York	$36,765	$18
   4	Oregon	$36,228	$17
   5	Massachusetts	$36,155	$17
   6	District of Columbia	$36,042	$17
   7	Colorado	$35,422	$17
   8	Nevada	$34,274	$16
   9	Maine	$33,418	$16
   10	Minnesota	$33,243	$16
   11	Utah	$32,961	$16
   12	Arizona	$32,716	$16
   13	Illinois	$31,696	$15
   14	Pennsylvania	$31,291	$15
   15	Michigan	$30,488	$15
   16	Florida	$30,083	$14
   17	Wisconsin	$29,875	$14
   18	Texas	$29,613	$14
   19	New Mexico	$29,454	$14
   20	Georgia	$28,529	$14

   Average line cook salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Gate City Bank	$40,759	$19.60
   2	Kemps	$40,183	$19.32
   3	Woodfield Country Club	$40,120	$19.29	2
   4	Talamore Country Club	$39,784	$19.13
   5	NBCUniversal	$39,542	$19.01	3
   6	Cisco	$39,430	$18.96	6
   7	WESTWOOD COUNTRY CLUB OF AUSTIN	$39,373	$18.93	5
   8	Grand Savings Bank	$39,166	$18.83
   9	Lexington Country Club	$38,581	$18.55	2
   10	Protagonist Therapeutics	$38,509	$18.51
   11	Tableau	$38,381	$18.45
   12	Counter Culture Coffee	$38,266	$18.40	2
   13	Constellation Brands	$38,142	$18.34
   14	Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort	$38,029	$18.28
   15	Chumash Casino Resort	$38,023	$18.28
   16	Willamette Valley Vineyards	$37,891	$18.22	1
   17	DoorDash	$37,856	$18.20	19
   18	ROARING GAP CLUB	$37,850	$18.20
   19	Erickson Senior Living	$37,832	$18.19	17
   20	Anthony	$37,740	$18.14	6

4. Writing a line cook job description

   A line cook job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a line cook job description:

   Line cook job description example

   HIRING IMMEDIATELY:
   Line Cooks earn up to $20 per hour Open Interviews: Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm With more than 200 dishes made fresh from scratch every day, our line cooks are passionate about fresh quality ingredients, great technique and delicious, memorable food. Line cooks use a wide range of cooking methods and kitchen tools, to make our dishes perfect. And although our restaurants are busy and our standards are high, you'll love our team spirit and commitment to having fun, as well as the glowing complements from guests about our food.
   What we're looking for:
   
   Great technique; strong knife skills and a range of cooking methods set you apart Attention to detail; you know your weights, measurements and volumes Cleanliness and organization; you know where everything is, and everything has a place Team player; it takes a team to keep our kitchens moving Comfortable standing for extended periods of time, able to lift up to 50 lbs and continuously bend, reach and twist Must be at least 18 years old
   What we offer:
   
   Flexible scheduling, consistent hours Health benefits including medical, dental and vision (after 25 hours/week average) Paid time off (after 25 hours/week average) Free shift meals 25% discount for your party when dining in as a guest Work this week access 50% of your pay at no cost A no cost GED and Associates Degree program Career growth opportunities
   Who we are:
   
   Since 1978, we've been known for our legendary cheesecakes, upscale casual hospitality and fresh-from-scratch menu, but we're most proud of being named to the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For list since 2014. With 45,000 staff members across more than 300 restaurants - including The Cheesecake Factory, North Italia, Grand Lux Cafe, Social Monk and Fox Restaurant concepts - our people-centered culture offers something for everyone. We are an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace for all. We welcome applicants from a wide variety of identities, ideas, perspectives and experiences and encourage people from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. The Cheesecake Factory offers reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. #SoCheesecake #LifeAtCheesecake
   Our Safety Commitment
   
   The health and wellbeing of our staff, managers and guests is always our top priority. We follow all COVID-19 guidance from the CDC and local health departments. RequiredPreferredJob Industries Food & Restaurant

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right line cook for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your line cook job on Zippia to find and recruit line cook candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit line cooks, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new line cook

   Once you've selected the best line cook candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new line cook first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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