Cooks and Chefs

The salaries earned by chefs and cooks are widely divergent and depend on many factors, such as the size, type, and location of the establishment, and the skill, experience, training, and specialization of the worker. Salaries are usually fairly standard among establishments of the same type. For example, restaurants and diners serving inexpensive meals and a sandwich-type menu generally pay cooks less than establishments with medium-priced or expensive menus. The highest wages are earned at restaurants and hotels known for their elegance.

In May 2023, chefs and head cooks had median annual salaries of $58,920, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $36,040, and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $93,900. Salaries for other food preparation workers vary considerably.

The median annual salary for cooks in private households was $42,590; the lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $27,140 and the highest paid 10 percent earned $87,410 or more. Restaurant cooks had a median hourly wage of $17.20, or approximate annual earnings of $35,780. Institutional and cafeteria cooks had a median hourly wage of $16.98, or $35,320 annually. Short-order cooks earned a median hourly wage of $16.41 (approximately $34,130 annually). Cooks at fast-food restaurants were at the bottom of the pay scale, earning a median of $14.07 per hour (approximately $29,260 per year); the lowest paid 10 percent of these cooks earned less than $10.48 per hour (approximately $21,800 annually), and the highest paid 10 percent of fast-food cooks earned more than $17.56 per hour (approximately $36,525 annually). When looking at the earnings, however, you should bear in mind that about one-third of all food preparation workers are employed part time, and so can count on less annual pay than indicated here.

Chefs and cooks sometimes receive their meals free during working hours and are furnished with any necessary job uniforms. Those working full time usually receive standard benefits, such as health insurance and vacation and sick days.