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Cook's Helper Salary in the United States

How much does a Cook's Helper make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cook's Helper in the United States is $33,840 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $16.

However, a Cook's Helper's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $38,960
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $31,680 to $36,520
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $29,713
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Cook's Helper Salaries

A Cook's Helper's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Cook's Helper Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Cook's Helper's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $33,131
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $33,195
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $34,040
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $35,160
  • Expert (over 8 years): $35,240
Levels Salary
Entry Level Cook's Helper$33,131
Intermediate Level Cook's Helper$33,195
Senior Level Cook's Helper$34,040
Specialist Level Cook's Helper$35,160
Expert Level Cook's Helper$35,240
View as Graph

How Do Cook's Helper Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Cook's Helpers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $37,470.
  • California: $37,330.
  • Massachusetts: $36,830.

Top Paying Cities for Cook's Helpers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $42,680
  • San Francisco: $42,210
  • Oakland: $41,320

What Skills Can Increase a Cook's Helper's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 9.79% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Foodservice (Mentioned in 3.76% Job Postings): The foodservice or catering industry includes the businesses, institutions, and companies which prepare meals outside the home. It includes restaurants, school and hospital cafeterias, catering operations, and many other formats.
  • Safety Standards (Mentioned in 1.74% Job Postings): Safety standards are designed to ensure the safety of products, activities and processes, etc. They may be advisory or compulsory and are normally laid down by an advisory or regulatory body that may be either voluntary or statutory.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 9.79%
Foodservice 3.76%
Safety Standards 1.74%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Cook's Helper's salary.

  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • WFM: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Collaboration $36,547
8%
WFM $36,209
7%
Leadership $35,532
5%
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Cook's Helper Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Cook's Helper salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $37,818. While startup companies pay approximate $31,990.

Cook's Helper Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $31,990
Growth Stage 51~500 $33,832
Established 501~5000 $36,518
Enterprise 5000+ $37,818

Cook's Helper Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Cook's Helper roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Cook's Helper positions in Financial Services or Software & Networking typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Cook's Helper as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Cook's Helper

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$43,992$21.030%
Aerospace & Defense$42,300$20.025%
MFG Nondurable$40,608$20.020%
Healthcare$38,916$19.015%
Business Services$37,224$18.010%

How Education impacts a Cook's Helper's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Cook's Helpers enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Cook's Helper with a No Diploma is between $32,379 and $33,892).

Cook's Helper Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Cook's Helper
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 6.1%
High School 53.0%
Associates 30.3%
Bachelors 10.6%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Cook's Helper Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Cook's Helper's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$31,680
Average $33,840/year
$36,520
$2,640
Average $2,820/month
$3,043
$609
Average $651/week
$702
$15
Average $16/hour
$18
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $36,520 $3,043 $702 $18
Average $33,840 $2,820 $651 $16
25th Percentile $31,680 $2,640 $609 $15

Most common benefits for Cook's Helper

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Cook's Helper

Here are companies hiring for Cook's Helper and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Cook's Helper

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Cook's Helper?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Cook's Helper roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

2. How much do you pay your helper?

We pay our Cook's Helper a salary that ranges from $32,610 to $40,270 annually, with a mid-range salary of $35,470. This ensures competitive compensation for their valuable contributions.

3. How much do assistant cooks make in the US?

The salary for a Cook's Helper in the US ranges from a minimum of $32,610 to a maximum of $40,270, with a mid-range salary of $35,470. These figures reflect the typical earnings for this position, providing a clear overview of potential compensation in the industry.

4. What is a cook's assistant called?

Another term for a Cook's Helper is sous chef. In the culinary world, a sous chef assists the head chef with tasks such as food preparation and managing kitchen staff. The salary for a Cook's Helper ranges from $32,610 to $40,270, with a mid-range salary of $35,470, reflecting the important role they play in ensuring smooth kitchen operations.

5. How much is a house maid paid in USA?

As of January 16, 2025, the salary for a Cook's Helper in the United States ranges from a minimum of $32,610 to a maximum of $40,270, with a mid-salary of $35,470. This reflects the varying pay scales within the industry, providing a competitive wage for this role.

6. How much do assistant cooks make in the US?

Assistant cooks in the US typically earn between $32,610 and $40,270 annually. The average salary is approximately $35,470. This range reflects the varying levels of experience and location, with top earners making closer to the maximum salary.

7. What is a cook's helper called?

The job title of a cook's helper varies by employer and can include food service worker, assistant chef, or assistant cook. The salary for this position typically ranges from $32,610 to $40,270, with a mid-range salary of approximately $35,470.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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