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

Given the change of course that has happened in the world, we wanted to provide expert opinions on what aspiring graduates can do to start off their careers in an uncertain economic climate. We wanted to know what skills will be more important, where the economy is doing relatively well, and if there will be any lasting effects on the job market. Companies are looking for candidates that can handle the new responsibilities of the job market. Recent graduates actually have an advantage because they are comfortable using newer technologies and have been communicating virtually their whole lives. They can take what they've learned and apply it immediately.We spoke to meal cook professors and experts from several universities and companies to get their opinions on where the meal cook job market for recent graduates is heading and how young graduates entering the meal cook industry can be adequately prepared. Here are their thoughts.

We spoke to meal cook professors and experts from several universities and companies to get their opinions on where the meal cook job market for recent graduates is heading and how young graduates entering the meal cook industry can be adequately prepared. Here are their thoughts.

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

Meal Cook

1,248

1,085

3,799

1,256

1,174

1,064

4,380

1,553

1,550

Zippia Careers

Food Preparation and Restaurant Industry

Meal Cooks

What is a meal cook?

Overview

Meal cook jobs

Jobs

Meal cook skills

Skills

Meal cook education

Education

Meal cook demographics

Demographics

Meal cook job description

Job Description

How to hire a meal cook

How To Hire

Best companies for meal cooks

Best Companies

Meal cook trends

Job Outlook

Meal cook comparisons

Compare

Part time meal cook jobs

Part Time jobs

Entry level meal cook jobs

Entry Level jobs

Full time meal cook jobs

Full Time jobs

Full time jobs

Part time jobs

Entry level jobs

right-to-work

relocation

Year	# of jobs	% of population
2021	849	0.00%
2020	789	0.00%
2019	997	0.00%
2018	954	0.00%
2017	908	0.00%

Year	Avg. salary	Hourly rate	% Change
2026	$33,089	$15.91	+3.6%
2025	$31,929	$15.35	+4.7%
2024	$30,481	$14.65	+5.4%
2023	$28,930	$13.91	+4.3%
2022	$27,735	$13.33	+4.5%

Rank	State	Population	# of jobs	Employment/ 1000ppl
1	Arkansas	3,004,279	654	22%
2	Tennessee	6,715,984	1,248	19%
3	Colorado	5,607,154	1,085	19%
4	Florida	20,984,400	3,799	18%
5	Arizona	7,016,270	1,256	18%
6	Indiana	6,666,818	1,174	18%
7	Oklahoma	3,930,864	715	18%
8	Kansas	2,913,123	517	18%
9	Missouri	6,113,532	1,064	17%
10	Kentucky	4,454,189	712	16%
11	Wyoming	579,315	94	16%
12	Texas	28,304,596	4,380	15%
13	North Carolina	10,273,419	1,553	15%
14	Georgia	10,429,379	1,550	15%
15	South Carolina	5,024,369	747	15%
16	Iowa	3,145,711	464	15%
17	Mississippi	2,984,100	460	15%
18	New Mexico	2,088,070	313	15%
19	Montana	1,050,493	156	15%
20	Alaska	739,795	112	15%

Rank	City	# of jobs	Employment/ 1000ppl	Avg. salary
1	Eagle	1	4%	$36,948
2	Blaine	1	2%	$37,208
3	Hamilton	1	2%	$27,964
4	Everett	1	1%	$42,150
5	Pompano Beach	1	1%	$31,036
6	Denver	1	0%	$39,560
7	Detroit	1	0%	$33,316

Job outlook for meal cooks in the United States

Are meal cook jobs in demand?

Meal cook job and salary trends over time

Meal cook jobs over time

Meal cook job growth rate over time

Average meal cook salary over time

Meal cook salary by year

Meal cook jobs by state

Most common states for meal cooks

Most common cities for meal cooks

Meal cook jobs