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Household cook salary
Average household cook salary
$16.42
Average Household Cook Salary
The average salary for a household cook is approximately $34,144 per year, translating to about $16 per hour. However, salaries can vary based on several factors, including the cook's experience level and geographical location.
Experience Matters
Entry-level household cooks can expect to earn less, while those with more years in the field can command higher salaries. For instance, cooks with over five years of experience may see salaries exceeding $40,000 annually.
Regional Variations
In addition to experience, location plays a significant role in salary differences. States such as California and New York often offer higher wages due to a higher cost of living and demand for culinary services. For example, household cooks in San Francisco can earn upwards of $45,000 a year.
Job Opportunities
Household cooks have opportunities to work in various environments, including private households, catering companies, and wellness centers. With the increasing focus on healthy eating, skilled cooks are in high demand. This trend opens doors for those looking to specialize in dietary needs or gourmet cooking.
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Where can a Household Cook earn more?
Household cook salaries by experience level
| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level household cook | $25,600 | $12.31 |
| Mid-level household cook | $30,900 | $14.87 |
| Senior-level household cook | $36,700 | $17.66 |
Average household cook salary by state
The highest-paying states for household cooks are California, Hawaii, and Nevada. The lowest average household cook salary states are Tennessee, Texas, and Indiana.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for household cooks
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nevada | $42,546 | $20.45 |
| 2 | California | $48,244 | $23.19 |
| 3 | Alaska | $39,402 | $18.94 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $41,069 | $19.74 |
| 5 | Washington | $41,200 | $19.81 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $40,322 | $19.39 |
| 7 | Arizona | $33,762 | $16.23 |
| 8 | Hawaii | $43,970 | $21.14 |
| 9 | Oregon | $37,916 | $18.23 |
| 10 | Idaho | $34,179 | $16.43 |
| 11 | Minnesota | $34,375 | $16.53 |
| 12 | New Hampshire | $36,770 | $17.68 |
| 13 | North Dakota | $33,303 | $16.01 |
| 14 | New York | $37,432 | $18.00 |
| 15 | Colorado | $33,006 | $15.87 |
| 16 | Virginia | $35,045 | $16.85 |
| 17 | West Virginia | $30,177 | $14.51 |
| 18 | Michigan | $31,459 | $15.12 |
| 19 | Maine | $33,260 | $15.99 |
| 20 | Delaware | $34,775 | $16.72 |
| 21 | Pennsylvania | $31,147 | $14.97 |
| 22 | Vermont | $35,002 | $16.83 |
| 23 | Rhode Island | $34,554 | $16.61 |
| 24 | District of Columbia | $38,858 | $18.68 |
| 25 | Maryland | $35,412 | $17.02 |
| 26 | Missouri | $29,752 | $14.30 |
| 27 | Massachusetts | $34,103 | $16.40 |
| 28 | Utah | $29,953 | $14.40 |
| 29 | New Mexico | $29,160 | $14.02 |
| 30 | Iowa | $29,117 | $14.00 |
| 31 | Florida | $29,090 | $13.99 |
| 32 | Ohio | $28,155 | $13.54 |
| 33 | Oklahoma | $27,428 | $13.19 |
| 34 | Illinois | $31,068 | $14.94 |
| 35 | Louisiana | $27,924 | $13.43 |
| 36 | Wisconsin | $29,679 | $14.27 |
| 37 | North Carolina | $28,291 | $13.60 |
| 38 | South Dakota | $29,763 | $14.31 |
| 39 | Arkansas | $26,494 | $12.74 |
| 40 | Wyoming | $27,950 | $13.44 |
| 41 | Tennessee | $26,171 | $12.58 |
| 42 | Kentucky | $26,352 | $12.67 |
| 43 | Indiana | $25,957 | $12.48 |
| 44 | Kansas | $25,767 | $12.39 |
| 45 | Montana | $27,024 | $12.99 |
| 46 | Texas | $25,999 | $12.50 |
| 47 | South Carolina | $26,225 | $12.61 |
| 48 | Georgia | $26,912 | $12.94 |
| 49 | Nebraska | $27,895 | $13.41 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $23,931 | $11.51 |
| 51 | Alabama | $24,979 | $12.01 |
Highest paying cities for household cooks
The highest-paying cities for household cooks are Los Angeles, CA, New Haven, CT, and Long Branch, NJ.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | $48,137 | $23.14 |
| 2 | New Haven, CT | $41,136 | $19.78 |
| 3 | Long Branch, NJ | $40,464 | $19.45 |
| 4 | Washington, DC | $38,870 | $18.69 |
| 5 | Huntington, NY | $37,681 | $18.12 |
| 6 | Bowie, MD | $35,241 | $16.94 |
| 7 | Boston, MA | $34,075 | $16.38 |
| 8 | Philadelphia, PA | $31,502 | $15.15 |
| 9 | Chicago, IL | $31,224 | $15.01 |
| 10 | Boca Raton, FL | $29,214 | $14.05 |
| 11 | Cincinnati, OH | $26,863 | $12.91 |
| 12 | Houston, TX | $25,850 | $12.43 |
Household cook salary details
A household cook's salary ranges from $23,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $50,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a household cook's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $50,000 | $4,167 | $24 |
| 75th Percentile | $41,000 | $3,417 | $20 |
| Average | $34,144 | $2,845 | $16 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $23,000 | $1,917 | $11 |
Highest paying household cook jobs
The highest paying types of household cooks are cook manager, lead cook, and banquet cook.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Line Cook, Prep Cook | $32,982 | $2,748 | $15.86 | 164,756 |
| Prep Cook/Dishwasher | $31,687 | $2,641 | $15.23 | 126,351 |
| Line Cook/Dishwasher | $34,435 | $2,870 | $16.56 | 133,370 |
| Cook | $31,803 | $2,650 | $15.29 | 184,818 |
| Fry Cook | $30,622 | $2,552 | $14.72 | 246,323 |
| Kitchen Cook | $31,452 | $2,621 | $15.12 | 250,354 |
Top companies hiring household cooks now:
Which companies pay household cooks the most?
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Private Inc | $34,423 | $16.55 |
| 2 | Wesley Village-Personal Care | $33,939 | $16.32 |
| 3 | WesleyLife | $32,999 | $15.86 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Household cook salary trends
The average household cook salary has risen by $7,967 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average household cook earned $26,177 annually, but today, they earn $34,144 a year. That works out to a 19% change in pay for household cooks over the last decade.
Compare household cook salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average household cook salary over time
Compare household cook salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Household cook salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $34,100 | $16.42 | +3.5% |
| 2025 | $32,900 | $15.84 | +4.5% |
| 2024 | $31,500 | $15.12 | +5.1% |
| 2023 | $29,900 | $14.35 | +4.1% |
| 2022 | $28,600 | $13.76 | +4.3% |
Recently added household cook salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wesleylife | Household Cook | Pella, IA | 06/18/2025 | $31,848 |
| Wesleylife | Household Cook | Pella, IA | 02/26/2025 | $31,848 |
| St. Ann's Community | Household Dining Cook | Rochester, NY | 12/08/2024 | $32,349 |
| Wesleylife Career | Household Cook, PRN (AS Needed) | Pella, IA | 12/02/2024 | $31,848 |
| St. Ann's Community | Household Dining Cook | Rochester, NY | 10/23/2024 | $32,349 |
| Wesleylife | Household Cook | Pella, IA | 10/09/2024 | $31,305 |
| Wesleylife | Household Cook | Pella, IA | 09/28/2024 | $31,305 |
| St. Ann's Community | Household Dining Cook | Rochester, NY | 09/25/2024 | $32,349 |
| St. Ann's Community | Household Dining Cook | Rochester, NY | 09/11/2024 | $32,349 |
| Wesleylife | Household Cook | Pella, IA | 09/06/2024 | $31,848 |
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