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Prep cook salary
Average prep cook salary
$15.53
Understanding Prep Cook Salaries
The average salary for a Prep Cook in the U.S. is around $32,292 annually, translating to approximately $16 per hour. Salaries can differ based on several factors, including geographical location and industry sector. For instance, prep cooks in urban areas often command higher wages due to the cost of living and demand for culinary talent.
Factors Influencing Salary
Experience level plays a crucial role in salary potential. Entry-level prep cooks might start at a lower wage, while those with several years of experience or specialized skills can earn significantly more. Additionally, working in upscale restaurants or catering companies may offer better compensation packages compared to smaller establishments.
Opportunities for Advancement
As a prep cook, there are numerous pathways for career development. Many choose to advance to positions such as line cooks or sous chefs, which typically offer higher salaries and greater responsibilities. Networking within the culinary community and seeking further education can enhance prospects for higher-paying roles.
Conclusion
Whether you are just starting your culinary journey or looking to advance, understanding the salary landscape can help you make informed career decisions. Explore job opportunities today and find the right fit for your skills and aspirations!
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Where can a Prep Cook earn more?
Prep cook salaries by experience level
| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level prep cook | $24,200 | $11.64 |
| Mid-level prep cook | $29,200 | $14.06 |
| Senior-level prep cook | $34,700 | $16.70 |
Prep cook salary estimates from across the web
Average prep cook salary by state
The average prep cook salary in Washington, California, and Hawaii are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average prep cook salary states are Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Georgia.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for prep cooks
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $40,515 | $19.48 |
| 2 | Minnesota | $34,856 | $16.76 |
| 3 | Illinois | $33,836 | $16.27 |
| 4 | Oregon | $36,575 | $17.58 |
| 5 | Wyoming | $34,022 | $16.36 |
| 6 | Nevada | $31,991 | $15.38 |
| 7 | New Hampshire | $36,658 | $17.62 |
| 8 | Arizona | $32,232 | $15.50 |
| 9 | Colorado | $33,723 | $16.21 |
| 10 | California | $37,212 | $17.89 |
| 11 | Massachusetts | $35,703 | $17.16 |
| 12 | Idaho | $32,433 | $15.59 |
| 13 | New York | $35,498 | $17.07 |
| 14 | Alaska | $33,302 | $16.01 |
| 15 | Hawaii | $36,736 | $17.66 |
| 16 | North Dakota | $31,968 | $15.37 |
| 17 | Nebraska | $30,748 | $14.78 |
| 18 | Vermont | $33,295 | $16.01 |
| 19 | Utah | $31,400 | $15.10 |
| 20 | New Jersey | $34,360 | $16.52 |
| 21 | Connecticut | $33,420 | $16.07 |
| 22 | Indiana | $29,105 | $13.99 |
| 23 | Maine | $31,755 | $15.27 |
| 24 | Michigan | $29,332 | $14.10 |
| 25 | Pennsylvania | $30,174 | $14.51 |
| 26 | Wisconsin | $30,620 | $14.72 |
| 27 | New Mexico | $30,145 | $14.49 |
| 28 | Ohio | $28,444 | $13.68 |
| 29 | District of Columbia | $34,846 | $16.75 |
| 30 | Rhode Island | $31,755 | $15.27 |
| 31 | Tennessee | $28,070 | $13.50 |
| 32 | Delaware | $31,626 | $15.20 |
| 33 | Missouri | $28,141 | $13.53 |
| 34 | Kansas | $27,920 | $13.42 |
| 35 | Maryland | $31,077 | $14.94 |
| 36 | Montana | $29,137 | $14.01 |
| 37 | Iowa | $28,116 | $13.52 |
| 38 | Louisiana | $26,488 | $12.73 |
| 39 | Kentucky | $25,933 | $12.47 |
| 40 | Florida | $27,042 | $13.00 |
| 41 | Arkansas | $25,755 | $12.38 |
| 42 | Texas | $26,261 | $12.63 |
| 43 | South Dakota | $28,396 | $13.65 |
| 44 | South Carolina | $26,603 | $12.79 |
| 45 | North Carolina | $26,153 | $12.57 |
| 46 | Oklahoma | $25,128 | $12.08 |
| 47 | Virginia | $28,692 | $13.79 |
| 48 | Mississippi | $21,322 | $10.25 |
| 49 | Georgia | $23,975 | $11.53 |
| 50 | West Virginia | $23,766 | $11.43 |
| 51 | Alabama | $22,487 | $10.81 |
Highest paying cities for prep cooks
The highest-paying cities for prep cooks are Seattle, WA, Los Angeles, CA, and Urban Honolulu, HI.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $40,582 | $19.51 |
| 2 | Los Angeles, CA | $36,993 | $17.79 |
| 3 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $36,767 | $17.68 |
| 4 | Portland, OR | $36,582 | $17.59 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $35,681 | $17.15 |
| 6 | New York, NY | $35,438 | $17.04 |
| 7 | Washington, DC | $34,842 | $16.75 |
| 8 | Chicago, IL | $33,990 | $16.34 |
| 9 | Austin, MN | $33,915 | $16.31 |
| 10 | Denver, CO | $33,718 | $16.21 |
| 11 | Glendale, AZ | $32,398 | $15.58 |
| 12 | Portland, ME | $31,823 | $15.30 |
| 13 | Las Vegas, NV | $31,802 | $15.29 |
| 14 | Salt Lake City, UT | $31,416 | $15.10 |
| 15 | Albuquerque, NM | $30,299 | $14.57 |
| 16 | Philadelphia, PA | $30,196 | $14.52 |
| 17 | Washington, MI | $29,582 | $14.22 |
| 18 | Indianapolis, IN | $28,804 | $13.85 |
| 19 | Kansas City, MO | $28,370 | $13.64 |
| 20 | Memphis, TN | $28,029 | $13.48 |
Prep Cooks are the most in-demand in these five cities:
Prep cook salary details
A prep cook's salary ranges from $25,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $40,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a prep cook's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $40,000 | $3,333 | $19 |
| 75th Percentile | $36,000 | $3,000 | $17 |
| Average | $32,292 | $2,691 | $16 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
Highest paying prep cook jobs
The highest paying types of prep cooks are head cook, line cook/dishwasher, and assistant cook.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cook/Dishwasher | $31,703 | $2,642 | $15.24 | 133,000 |
| Cook/Server | $29,716 | $2,476 | $14.29 | 257,582 |
| Line Cook/Dishwasher | $34,435 | $2,870 | $16.56 | 133,370 |
| Food Prep | $25,840 | $2,153 | $12.42 | 168,743 |
| Short Order Cook | $30,734 | $2,561 | $14.78 | 176,187 |
| Kitchen Cook | $31,452 | $2,621 | $15.12 | 250,354 |
Top companies hiring prep cooks now:
Which companies pay prep cooks the most?
Prep cook salaries at Kemps and Lunds & Byerlys are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average prep cook salary at companies like Russell Stover Chocolates and Aspen Snowmass are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kemps | $39,154 | $18.82 |
| 2 | Lunds & Byerlys | $38,592 | $18.55 |
| 3 | Russell Stover Chocolates | $37,581 | $18.07 |
| 4 | Aspen Snowmass | $37,495 | $18.03 |
| 5 | Anthony | $37,460 | $18.01 |
| 6 | DoorDash | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| 7 | Hillstone Networks | $37,313 | $17.94 |
| 8 | Erickson Senior Living | $37,297 | $17.93 |
| 9 | Deschutes Brewery | $37,205 | $17.89 |
| 10 | Kelber Catering | $37,185 | $17.88 |
| 11 | Marquis Companies | $37,124 | $17.85 |
| 12 | Nugget Markets | $37,017 | $17.80 |
| 13 | Chumash Casino Resort | $36,934 | $17.76 |
| 14 | OutBack Power | $36,868 | $17.73 |
| 15 | bartaco | $36,601 | $17.60 |
| 16 | Spirit Mountain Casino | $36,571 | $17.58 |
| 17 | Sycuan Casino Resort | $36,559 | $17.58 |
| 18 | Bon Appétit Management | $36,553 | $17.57 |
| 19 | River Rock Casino | $36,550 | $17.57 |
| 20 | Presbyterian Night Shelter | $36,481 | $17.54 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Prep cook salary trends
The average prep cook salary has risen by $7,534 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average prep cook earned $24,758 annually, but today, they earn $32,292 a year. That works out to a 19% change in pay for prep cooks over the last decade.
Compare prep cook salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average prep cook salary over time
Compare prep cook salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Prep cook salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $32,300 | $15.53 | +3.5% |
| 2024 | $31,200 | $14.98 | +4.5% |
| 2023 | $29,700 | $14.30 | +5.1% |
| 2022 | $28,200 | $13.57 | +4.1% |
| 2021 | $27,100 | $13.01 | +4.3% |
Recently added prep cook salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smokey Bones | Prep Cook | Syracuse, NY | 06/30/2025 | $31,305 |
| Cpk Holdings Inc. | Prep Cook | Irvine, CA | 06/30/2025 | $34,436 |
| Peopleready | Prep Cook | Midvale, UT | 06/30/2025 | $35,479 |
| Flower Child | Prep Cook | Franklin, TN | 06/30/2025 | $35,479 |
| Upward Projects | Prep Cook | Pine, AZ | 06/30/2025 | $39,653 |
| Pursuit | Prep Cook (Seward Windsong Lodge) | Seward, AK | 06/30/2025 | $35,479 |
| Marriott International | Banquet Prep Cook III | Snowmass Village, CO | 06/29/2025 | $48,001 |
| Texas Roadhouse | Prep Cook | Queensbury, NY | 06/29/2025 | $32,349 |
| Erickson Senior Living | Prep Cook | New Providence, NJ | 06/29/2025 | $34,436 |
| Erickson Senior Living | Prep Cook-Days/Evenings | Richmond, VA | 06/29/2025 | $35,479 |
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