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Prep Cook Salary in the United States

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

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Prep Cook in the United States is $33,836 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $16.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $38,962
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $31,676 to $36,519
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $29,709
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View as table View as graph 25% $31,676 10% $29,709 90% $38,962 75% $36,519 $33,836 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Prep Cook Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $36,519 $3,043 $702 $18
Average $33,836 $2,820 $651 $16
25th Percentile $31,676 $2,640 $609 $15
Check out Prep Cook Job Openings in the United States
Prep Cook

Coaches Burger Bar - East Liverpool, OH

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RH - Columbus, OH

Prep Cook

Fox Restaurant Concepts - Cincinnati, OH

Prep Cook

Fox Restaurant Concepts - Girard, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Prep Cook Salaries

A Prep Cook'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 Prep Cook Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Prep Cook'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): $33,127
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $33,191
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $34,036
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $35,157
  • Expert (over 8 years): $35,238
Levels Salary
Entry Level Prep Cook$33,127
Intermediate Level Prep Cook$33,191
Senior Level Prep Cook$34,036
Specialist Level Prep Cook$35,157
Expert Level Prep Cook$35,238
$33,127 0 yr
$33,191 < 2 yrs
$34,036 2-4 yrs
$35,157 5-8 yrs
$35,238 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Prep Cooks

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: $42,677
  • San Francisco: $42,210
  • Oakland: $41,321

What Skills Can Increase a Prep Cook'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.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 9.79%
Foodservice 3.76%
Safety Standards 1.74%
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 Prep Cook'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
$36,543
8%
WFM
$36,205
7%
Leadership
$35,528
5%
Honesty and Integrity
$35,528
5%
Team Management
$35,528
5%
Foodservice
$35,189
4%
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How Education impacts a Prep Cook's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Prep Cooks 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 Prep Cook with a No Diploma is between $33,458 and $35,114).

Prep Cook Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Prep Cook
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%
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Prep Cook Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Prep Cook'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 May 01, 2026

Prep Cook Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Prep Cook, 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.

Prep Cook Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Chef $59,089 75%
Cook II $37,676 11%
Cook - Institution $37,966 12%
Senior Line Cook $37,966 12%

Salary Trends for Prep Cook

Salaries for a Prep Cook can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $33,155 in 2023 to around $32,395 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Prep Cook salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Prep Cook Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$33,155
2024
$33,018
2025
$32,395
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $33,155
2024 $33,018
2025 $32,395
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Prep Cook

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Prep Cook

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

Find Your Next Prep Cook Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Prep Cook job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Prep Cook

1. Where can a Prep Cook earn the most?

A Prep Cook'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 Prep Cook earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Prep Cook is $42,677.

2. What is the highest pay for Prep Cook?

The highest pay for Prep Cook is $38,962.

3. What is the lowest pay for Prep Cook?

The lowest pay for Prep Cook is $29,709.

4. What are the responsibilities of Prep Cook?

Prepares raw ingredients for use in recipes. Washes, chops, stores, and handles ingredients. Prepares portions of ingredients for workstations. May prepare sauces and garnishes or assist cook with basic recipes. Follows all applicable guidelines and regulations for food handling and safety. Typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor. 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.

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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