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The average salary for a breakfast cook in the United States is approximately $33,616 per year or about $16 per hour. Salary can vary widely based on several factors including geographic location, years of experience, and the type of establishment. For instance, breakfast cooks in upscale restaurants may earn more due to the higher volume and complexity of the dishes prepared.
Some states offer higher wages for breakfast cooks. For example, states like California and New York are known to pay above average salaries due to the cost of living and demand for skilled culinary professionals. Conversely, some regions may offer lower wages, reflecting local economic conditions.
Experience plays a crucial role in determining salary. Entry-level breakfast cooks start at a lower wage, while those with several years of experience or specialized skills can command significantly higher salaries. Additionally, obtaining certifications in culinary arts can enhance job prospects and earning potential.
For those interested in a career as a breakfast cook, Zippia provides resources to find job openings and salary information tailored to your experience and location.
Let Zippia find your next breakfast cook job
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| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level breakfast cook | $25,200 | $12.12 |
| Mid-level breakfast cook | $30,400 | $14.64 |
| Senior-level breakfast cook | $36,200 | $17.39 |
The highest-paying states for breakfast cooks are Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Washington. The lowest average breakfast cook salary states are Kentucky, West Virginia, and Georgia.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado | $39,439 | $18.96 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $44,387 | $21.34 |
| 3 | Hawaii | $47,595 | $22.88 |
| 4 | Idaho | $38,148 | $18.34 |
| 5 | Nevada | $37,324 | $17.94 |
| 6 | Alaska | $39,454 | $18.97 |
| 7 | Washington | $43,509 | $20.92 |
| 8 | Oregon | $42,657 | $20.51 |
| 9 | Minnesota | $38,077 | $18.31 |
| 10 | Illinois | $36,971 | $17.77 |
| 11 | Arizona | $34,782 | $16.72 |
| 12 | California | $41,228 | $19.82 |
| 13 | New Jersey | $40,995 | $19.71 |
| 14 | North Dakota | $37,159 | $17.86 |
| 15 | Michigan | $33,086 | $15.91 |
| 16 | Maine | $36,065 | $17.34 |
| 17 | Vermont | $37,500 | $18.03 |
| 18 | New York | $38,210 | $18.37 |
| 19 | Missouri | $33,063 | $15.90 |
| 20 | Connecticut | $37,125 | $17.85 |
| 21 | Indiana | $31,660 | $15.22 |
| 22 | New Hampshire | $36,561 | $17.58 |
| 23 | Wisconsin | $33,167 | $15.95 |
| 24 | Utah | $32,998 | $15.86 |
| 25 | Ohio | $31,666 | $15.22 |
| 26 | Wyoming | $31,426 | $15.11 |
| 27 | District of Columbia | $37,591 | $18.07 |
| 28 | Rhode Island | $34,901 | $16.78 |
| 29 | Montana | $31,741 | $15.26 |
| 30 | South Dakota | $32,556 | $15.65 |
| 31 | Delaware | $33,374 | $16.05 |
| 32 | New Mexico | $30,101 | $14.47 |
| 33 | Arkansas | $26,992 | $12.98 |
| 34 | Florida | $27,916 | $13.42 |
| 35 | Texas | $27,639 | $13.29 |
| 36 | South Carolina | $28,220 | $13.57 |
| 37 | Pennsylvania | $29,830 | $14.34 |
| 38 | Oklahoma | $27,141 | $13.05 |
| 39 | Iowa | $30,359 | $14.60 |
| 40 | Kansas | $27,329 | $13.14 |
| 41 | Tennessee | $26,265 | $12.63 |
| 42 | Nebraska | $30,018 | $14.43 |
| 43 | Maryland | $31,803 | $15.29 |
| 44 | Kentucky | $25,320 | $12.17 |
| 45 | North Carolina | $26,655 | $12.81 |
| 46 | Louisiana | $24,697 | $11.87 |
| 47 | Virginia | $29,919 | $14.38 |
| 48 | Mississippi | $23,209 | $11.16 |
| 49 | West Virginia | $25,233 | $12.13 |
| 50 | Georgia | $25,119 | $12.08 |
| 51 | Alabama | $25,037 | $12.04 |
The highest-paying cities for breakfast cooks are Beverly, MA, Seattle, WA, and Portland, OR.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beverly, MA | $44,510 | $21.40 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $43,656 | $20.99 |
| 3 | Portland, OR | $42,636 | $20.50 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $42,095 | $20.24 |
| 5 | Jersey City, NJ | $41,203 | $19.81 |
| 6 | Broomfield, CO | $39,472 | $18.98 |
| 7 | New York, NY | $38,104 | $18.32 |
| 8 | Eden Prairie, MN | $37,890 | $18.22 |
| 9 | Hamden, CT | $37,140 | $17.86 |
| 10 | Portland, ME | $36,153 | $17.38 |
| 11 | Phoenix, AZ | $34,898 | $16.78 |
| 12 | Oshkosh, WI | $33,842 | $16.27 |
| 13 | Salt Lake City, UT | $33,041 | $15.89 |
| 14 | South Bend, IN | $32,921 | $15.83 |
| 15 | Joplin, MO | $32,410 | $15.58 |
| 16 | Hilliard, OH | $31,174 | $14.99 |
| 17 | Lincoln, NE | $29,930 | $14.39 |
| 18 | Philadelphia, PA | $29,870 | $14.36 |
| 19 | Jacksonville, FL | $28,536 | $13.72 |
| 20 | Myrtle Beach, SC | $28,284 | $13.60 |
A breakfast cook's salary ranges from $26,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $42,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $42,000 | $3,500 | $20 |
| 75th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| Average | $33,616 | $2,801 | $16 |
| 25th Percentile | $29,000 | $2,417 | $14 |
| 10th Percentile | $26,000 | $2,167 | $13 |
The highest paying types of breakfast cooks are head cook, lead cook, and banquet cook.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cook/Dishwasher | $31,703 | $2,642 | $15.24 | 133,000 |
| Line Cook, Prep Cook | $32,982 | $2,748 | $15.86 | 164,756 |
| Line Cook/Dishwasher | $34,435 | $2,870 | $16.56 | 133,370 |
| Cook | $31,803 | $2,650 | $15.29 | 184,818 |
| Kitchen Cook | $31,452 | $2,621 | $15.12 | 250,354 |
| Short Order Cook | $30,734 | $2,561 | $14.78 | 176,187 |
Top companies hiring breakfast cooks now:
Breakfast cook salaries at Kohler Co. and The Samuels Group are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average breakfast cook salary at companies like Taco John's and Hyatt Hotels are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kohler Co. | $39,263 | $18.88 |
| 2 | The Samuels Group | $38,788 | $18.65 |
| 3 | Taco John's | $38,260 | $18.39 |
| 4 | Hyatt Hotels | $37,892 | $18.22 |
| 5 | Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants | $37,823 | $18.18 |
| 6 | Ruth's Chris Steak House | $37,737 | $18.14 |
| 7 | JEAN-GEORGES MANAGEMENT | $37,682 | $18.12 |
| 8 | HEI Hotels & Resorts | $37,667 | $18.11 |
| 9 | Auberge Resorts Collection | $36,910 | $17.75 |
| 10 | Hy-Vee | $36,895 | $17.74 |
| 11 | Radisson | $36,610 | $17.60 |
| 12 | NANA | $36,293 | $17.45 |
| 13 | Patina Restaurant Group | $36,024 | $17.32 |
| 14 | Sage Hospitality Group | $35,625 | $17.13 |
| 15 | Leisure Care | $35,460 | $17.05 |
| 16 | Riverview | $35,403 | $17.02 |
| 17 | Marriott International | $35,346 | $16.99 |
| 18 | HLC Hotels | $35,044 | $16.85 |
| 19 | Embassy C E S | $35,042 | $16.85 |
| 20 | Hotel Equities | $35,029 | $16.84 |
The average breakfast cook salary has risen by $7,844 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average breakfast cook earned $25,772 annually, but today, they earn $33,616 a year. That works out to a 19% change in pay for breakfast cooks over the last decade.
Compare breakfast cook salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare breakfast cook salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $33,600 | $16.16 | +3.5% |
| 2025 | $32,400 | $15.59 | +4.5% |
| 2024 | $31,000 | $14.89 | +5.1% |
| 2023 | $29,400 | $14.13 | +4.1% |
| 2022 | $28,200 | $13.55 | +4.3% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hy-Vee | Breakfast Cook | Rochester, MN | 06/28/2025 | $35,479 |
| Hy-Vee | Breakfast Cook | Peru, IL | 06/28/2025 | $33,392 |
| Inn at Ocean's Edge | Breakfast Cook | Lincolnville, ME | 06/28/2025 | $41,740 |
| The Hilton President Kansas City | Breakfast Cook | Kansas City, KS | 06/25/2025 | $35,479 |
| Atrium Hospitality | Breakfast Cook | Franklin, TN | 06/25/2025 | $37,566 |
| Great Western Dining Service | Breakfast Cook | Hutchinson, KS | 06/25/2025 | $31,305 |
| Davidson Hospitality Group | AM Restaurant Breakfast Cook | Cincinnati, OH | 06/24/2025 | $38,610 |
| Hy-Vee | Breakfast Cook | Marshall, TX | 06/24/2025 | $25,044 |
| Compass Group USA Inc. | Breakfast Cook | Ballston Spa, NY | 06/21/2025 | $39,653 |
| Embassy Suites Kapolei | Hotel Breakfast Cook | Kapolei, HI | 06/20/2025 | $39,152 |
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