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Cook I Salary in the United States

How much does a Cook I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cook I in the United States is $33,835 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $16.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $38,957
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $31,673 to $36,516
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $29,705
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Cook I Salaries

A Cook I'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 I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Cook I'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:

  • Cook I (0-1 years): $33,835
  • Cook II (1-3 years): $37,680
  • Cook III (3-5 years): $42,447
  • Sous Chef (5+ years): $55,765
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Cook I0-1 years$33,835
Cook II1-3 years$37,680
Cook III3-5 years$42,447
Sous Chef5+ years$55,765
View as Graph

How Do Cook Is 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 Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $37,462.
  • California: $37,320.
  • Massachusetts: $36,823.

Top Paying Cities for Cook I

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: $42,676
  • San Francisco: $42,209
  • Oakland: $41,319

What Skills Can Increase a Cook I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 10.31% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Square (Mentioned in 1.79% Job Postings): Square in geometry, a plane figure with four equal sides and four right (90°) angles. A square is a special kind of rectangle and a special kind of parallelogram.
  • Container (Mentioned in 1% Job Postings): Container is an object used for or capable of holding, esp for transport or storage, such as a carton, box, etc.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 10.31%
Square 1.79%
Container 1%
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 I's salary.

  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Initiative: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Team Building: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Leadership $35,527
5%
Initiative $35,188
4%
Team Building $35,188
4%
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Cook I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Cook I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $37,876. While startup companies pay approximate $32,042.

Cook I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $32,042
Growth Stage 51~500 $33,889
Established 501~5000 $36,576
Enterprise 5000+ $37,876

Cook I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Cook I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Cook positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Cook I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Cook I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$50,752$24.050%

How Education impacts an Cook I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Cook I enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Cook I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $35,172 and $37,425.

Cook I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Cook I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 10.9%
High School 29.7%
Associates 45.3%
Bachelors 14.1%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Cook I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Cook I'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 August 01, 2026
$31,673
Average $33,835/year
$36,516
$2,639
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 $36,516 $3,043 $702 $18
Average $33,835 $2,820 $651 $16
25th Percentile $31,673 $2,639 $609 $15

Cook I Salary Growth & Career Path

Cook I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Cook I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Chef $59,105 75%
Cook II $37,680 11%
Cook - Institution $37,964 12%
Senior Line Cook $37,964 12%

Most common benefits for Cook I

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

Common company salaries for Cook I

Here are companies hiring for Cook I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Cook I

1. Where can a Cook I earn the most?

A Cook I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Cook I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Cook I is $42,676.

2. What is the highest pay for Cook I?

The highest pay for Cook I is $38,957.

3. What is the lowest pay for Cook I?

The lowest pay for Cook I is $29,705.

4. What are the responsibilities of Cook I?

Prepares menu dishes following established recipes and using designated ingredients that meet production and quality standards. Utilizes portion and presentation standards to create appealing and flavorful dishes. May prepare unique dishes to fulfill customer requests. Follows all applicable guidelines and regulations for food handling and safety. Maintains a clean and orderly workstation and kitchen equipment. Typically requires a high school diploma. Typically reports to a sous chef or executive chef. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. May require 0-1 year of general work experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Cook I?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Cook I roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.

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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