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Cook III Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cook III in the United States is $42,451 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $20.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $51,759
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $38,129 to $47,323
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $34,194
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Cook III Salaries

A Cook III'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 III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Cook III'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): $37,682
  • Cook III (3-5 years): $42,451
  • Sous Chef (5+ years): $49,600
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Cook I0-1 years$33,835
Cook II1-3 years$37,682
Cook III3-5 years$42,451
Sous Chef5+ years$49,600
View as Graph

How Do Cook III 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 IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $47,002.
  • California: $46,823.
  • Massachusetts: $46,199.

Top Paying Cities for Cook IIIs

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: $53,543
  • San Francisco: $52,957
  • Oakland: $51,841

What Skills Can Increase a Cook III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 8.86% 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.
  • Food Preparation (Mentioned in 5.41% Job Postings): The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to food preparation: Food preparation – art form and applied science that includes but is not limited to cooking.
  • HACCP (Mentioned in 3.8% Job Postings): HACCP is a management system in which food safety is addressed through the analysis and control of biological, chemical, and physical hazards from raw material production, procurement to manufacturing and consumption of the finished product.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 8.86%
Food Preparation 5.41%
HACCP 3.8%
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 III's salary.

  • Oral Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Work Under Pressure: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Coordination: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Oral Communication $45,847
8%
Work Under Pressure $45,847
8%
Coordination $44,998
6%
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Cook III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Cook III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $47,441. While startup companies pay approximate $40,130.

Cook III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $40,130
Growth Stage 51~500 $42,442
Established 501~5000 $45,810
Enterprise 5000+ $47,441

Cook III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Cook III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Cook positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Cook III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Cook III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$46,696$22.010%
Biotechnology$46,696$22.010%
Energy & Utilities$46,696$22.010%
Financial Services$46,696$22.010%
Healthcare$46,696$22.010%

How Education impacts a Cook III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Cook III 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 III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $44,561 and $47,326.

Cook III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Cook III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 44.4%
High School 44.4%
Associates 44.4%
Bachelors 11.1%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Cook III'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
$38,129
Average $42,451/year
$47,323
$3,177
Average $3,538/month
$3,944
$733
Average $816/week
$910
$18
Average $20/hour
$23
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $47,323 $3,944 $910 $23
Average $42,451 $3,538 $816 $20
25th Percentile $38,129 $3,177 $733 $18

Cook III Salary Growth & Career Path

Cook III

Next Role

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Cook III, 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 $59,111 39%
Sous Chef $49,600 17%
Pastry Chef $58,635 38%

Most common benefits for Cook III

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

Common company salaries for Cook III

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

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FAQ about Cook III

1. Where can a Cook III earn the most?

A Cook III'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 III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Cook III is $53,543.

2. What is the highest pay for Cook III?

The highest pay for Cook III is $51,759.

3. What is the lowest pay for Cook III?

The lowest pay for Cook III is $34,194.

4. What are the responsibilities of Cook III?

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 independently within established procedures associated with the specific job function. Has gained proficiency in multiple competencies relevant to the job. Typically requires 3-5 years of related experience.

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

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Cook III roles, with salaries approximately 10% 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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