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): $33,192
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
$33,192
Senior Level Prep Cook
$34,036
Specialist Level Prep Cook
$35,157
Expert Level Prep Cook
$35,238
$33,1270 yr
$33,192< 2 yrs
$34,0362-4 yrs
$35,1575-8 yrs
$35,238> 8 yrs
View as Table
View as Graph
What Am I Worth?
How Do Prep Cook 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 Prep Cooks.
For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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
San Jose, CA$42,677
San Francisco, CA$42,210
Oakland, CA$41,321
New York, NY$38,958
Paramus, NJ$38,485
Queens Village, NY$38,483
Passaic, NJ$38,451
Bergenfield, NJ$38,448
Stamford, CT$38,373
Huntington, NY$38,360
Newark, NJ$38,109
Bridgeport, CT$38,038
Vallejo, CA$37,971
New Brunswick, NJ$37,957
Petaluma, CA$37,937
Middlesex, NJ$37,873
Somerset, NJ$37,849
Santa Cruz, CA$37,805
Boston, MA$37,599
Monterey, CA$37,480
Seattle, WA$37,402
Santa Rosa, CA$37,396
Los Angeles, CA$37,385
Juneau, AK$37,297
Washington, DC$37,260
Orange, CA$37,140
Santa Ana, CA$37,050
Long Beach, CA$37,017
Anaheim, CA$37,010
Anchorage, AK$36,993
Santa Maria, CA$36,891
Everett, WA$36,885
Danbury, CT$36,766
Bremerton, WA$36,719
Tacoma, WA$36,597
New Suffolk, NY$36,596
Sacramento, CA$36,587
Santa Barbara, CA$36,550
Trenton, NJ$36,512
San Diego, CA$36,512
Brockton, MA$36,475
Fairbanks, AK$36,392
Lompoc, CA$36,306
Lowell, MA$36,279
Ventura, CA$36,272
Nashua, NH$36,265
Stockton, CA$36,262
Modesto, CA$36,015
Poughkeepsie, NY$35,941
Olympia, WA$35,876
Kennewick, WA$35,876
New Haven, CT$35,863
Lawrence, MA$35,741
Hartford, CT$35,707
Riverside, CA$35,700
New Bedford, MA$35,667
Richland, WA$35,667
Bakersfield, CA$35,619
San Bernardino, CA$35,606
New Britain, CT$35,602
Atlantic City, NJ$35,602
New London, CT$35,589
Norwich, CT$35,579
Portsmouth, NH$35,572
Boulder, CO$35,500
Portland, OR$35,453
Worcester, MA$35,450
Minneapolis, MN$35,345
Philadelphia, PA$35,298
Honolulu, HI$35,186
Saint Paul, MN$35,170
Vineland, NJ$35,162
Providence, RI$35,064
Chicago, IL$34,966
Bellingham, WA$34,926
Springfield, MA$34,898
Baltimore, MD$34,888
Chico, CA$34,804
Pittsfield, MA$34,712
Manchester, NH$34,648
Spokane, WA$34,499
Denver, CO$34,496
Albany, NY$34,337
Troy, NY$34,323
Nassau, NY$34,287
Schenectady, NY$34,252
Wilmington, DE$34,225
Burlington, VT$34,178
Salem, OR$34,164
Portland, ME$34,059
Yakima, WA$34,025
Rochester, MN$33,921
Reno, NV$33,904
Fresno, CA$33,904
Milwaukee, WI$33,873
Detroit, MI$33,839
Ann Arbor, MI$33,834
Allentown, PA$33,829
Colorado Springs, CO$33,772
Syracuse, NY$33,755
Carson City, NV$33,755
Houston, TX$33,707
Eugene, OR$33,691
Gary, IN$33,650
Springfield, OR$33,623
Bismarck, ND$33,616
Galveston, TX$33,592
Medford, OR$33,542
Fort Collins, CO$33,528
Concord, NH$33,511
Austin, TX$33,501
Mesa, AZ$33,430
Reading, PA$33,427
Phoenix, AZ$33,423
Dallas, TX$33,413
Saint Cloud, MN$33,381
Madison, WI$33,335
Utica, NY$33,244
Rochester, NY$33,190
Des Moines, IA$33,186
Raleigh, NC$33,183
Atlanta, GA$33,132
Battle Creek, MI$33,122
Salt Lake City, UT$33,112
Lancaster, PA$33,061
Harrisburg, PA$33,014
Kansas City, MO$32,980
Champaign, IL$32,973
Kansas City, KS$32,973
Fort Worth, TX$32,970
Columbus, OH$32,964
Boca Raton, FL$32,956
Pittsburgh, PA$32,943
Richmond, VA$32,929
Indianapolis, IN$32,922
Cleveland, OH$32,919
Las Vegas, NV$32,878
Cincinnati, OH$32,878
Petersburg, VA$32,828
Huntsville, AL$32,777
Lansing, MI$32,754
Lebanon, PA$32,750
Pueblo, CO$32,746
Appleton, WI$32,736
Buffalo, NY$32,723
Dayton, OH$32,713
Racine, WI$32,706
Charlotte, NC$32,702
Saint Louis, MO$32,692
York, PA$32,672
Elkhart, IN$32,672
Gastonia, NC$32,666
Billings, MT$32,657
Beaumont, TX$32,648
Lorain, OH$32,642
Benton Harbor, MI$32,635
Toledo, OH$32,628
Binghamton, NY$32,611
Rock Hill, SC$32,608
Rockford, IL$32,591
Springfield, IL$32,577
Elyria, OH$32,574
Fargo, ND$32,574
Flagstaff, AZ$32,550
Fort Lauderdale, FL$32,530
Duluth, MN$32,510
Miami, FL$32,510
Cheyenne, WY$32,486
Grand Forks, ND$32,486
Bangor, ME$32,412
Cedar Rapids, IA$32,374
Durham, NC$32,360
Louisville, KY$32,357
Grand Rapids, MI$32,351
Hialeah, FL$32,347
Casper, WY$32,300
Scranton, PA$32,259
New Orleans, LA$32,249
Virginia Beach, VA$32,246
Akron, OH$32,229
Peoria, IL$32,185
Sarasota, FL$32,178
Nashville, TN$32,154
Omaha, NE$32,154
Green Bay, WI$32,154
Baton Rouge, LA$32,137
Charleston, SC$32,131
Jamestown, NY$32,114
Davenport, IA$32,114
Tucson, AZ$32,097
Saint Petersburg, FL$32,077
Tampa, FL$32,070
Evansville, IN$32,049
Port Arthur, TX$32,049
Bradenton, FL$32,036
Santa Fe, NM$31,975
Orlando, FL$31,914
Clearwater, FL$31,904
Canton, OH$31,833
La Crosse, WI$31,833
Albuquerque, NM$31,813
Newport News, VA$31,809
High Point, NC$31,799
Ogden, UT$31,786
Corpus Christi, TX$31,758
Norfolk, VA$31,738
Laramie, WY$31,738
Rock Island, IL$31,718
Saginaw, MI$31,711
Jacksonville, FL$31,708
Salisbury, NC$31,701
Boise, ID$31,694
Moline, IL$31,677
Fort Myers, FL$31,667
Memphis, TN$31,660
Tulsa, OK$31,643
Waterloo, IA$31,623
Spartanburg, SC$31,589
Lincoln, NE$31,572
Fort Wayne, IN$31,566
Provo, UT$31,562
Cedar Falls, IA$31,522
San Antonio, TX$31,508
Greensboro, NC$31,495
South Bend, IN$31,491
Savannah, GA$31,454
Muskegon, MI$31,440
Birmingham, AL$31,437
Winston Salem, NC$31,420
Lake Charles, LA$31,339
Anderson, IN$31,332
Lexington, KY$31,322
Augusta, GA$31,312
Greenville, SC$31,312
Lima, OH$31,285
Wichita, KS$31,281
Tuscaloosa, AL$31,281
Columbia, SC$31,251
Springfield, OH$31,244
Asheville, NC$31,190
Bloomington, IN$31,166
Knoxville, TN$31,045
Shreveport, LA$31,041
Wilmington, NC$30,997
Roanoke, VA$30,997
Topeka, KS$30,936
Frankfort, KY$30,933
Oklahoma City, OK$30,909
Chillicothe, OH$30,896
Longview, TX$30,892
Melbourne, FL$30,889
Sioux Falls, SD$30,835
Mobile, AL$30,831
Terre Haute, IN$30,818
Altoona, PA$30,798
Amarillo, TX$30,774
Killeen, TX$30,764
Fayetteville, AR$30,737
Chattanooga, TN$30,726
Sioux City, IA$30,696
Idaho Falls, ID$30,689
Lynchburg, VA$30,662
Gainesville, FL$30,618
Portsmouth, OH$30,601
Little Rock, AR$30,595
Lafayette, LA$30,581
Youngstown, OH$30,581
Daytona Beach, FL$30,561
Clarksville, TN$30,557
Pensacola, FL$30,554
Temple, TX$30,552
Hopkinsville, KY$30,452
Erie, PA$30,446
Florence, SC$30,432
Charleston, WV$30,378
Great Falls, MT$30,361
Macon, GA$30,314
Tallahassee, FL$30,310
Fayetteville, NC$30,304
Waco, TX$30,297
Helena, MT$30,273
Pine Bluff, AR$30,260
Vincennes, IN$30,219
Lubbock, TX$30,205
Alamogordo, NM$30,185
Twin Falls, ID$30,155
Rapid City, SD$30,144
Jackson, MS$30,084
Huntington, WV$30,081
Greenville, MS$30,080
Parkersburg, WV$30,046
Montgomery, AL$30,040
Wichita Falls, TX$30,006
Springfield, MO$30,006
Biloxi, MS$29,989
Monroe, LA$29,955
Johnstown, PA$29,931
Sumter, SC$29,918
Columbus, GA$29,914
Pascagoula, MS$29,850
Abilene, TX$29,850
Kingsport, TN$29,762
Albany, GA$29,762
Gulfport, MS$29,752
Alexandria, LA$29,640
Fort Smith, AR$29,556
El Paso, TX$29,464
Las Cruces, NM$29,312
Harlingen, TX$29,226
Pocatello, ID$29,221
Florence, AL$29,177
Brownsville, TX$29,170
Mcallen, TX$29,099
Dothan, AL$29,052
Columbus, MS$28,851
Altus, OK$28,693
Lawton, OK$28,629
Pierre, SD$28,507
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%
Get Latest Data
Prep Cook Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise
Prep Cook salary potential scales significantly with company size.
Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $37,845.
While startup companies pay approximate $32,006.
Prep Cook Salary by Company Size
Company Size
Employees
Average Salary
Startup
1~50
$32,006
Growth Stage
51~500
$33,851
Established
501~5000
$36,547
Enterprise
5000+
$37,845
Prep Cook Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors
For Prep Cook 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, Prep Cook positions in Financial Services or Software & Networking typically offer lower base pay,
as these industries often view Prep Cook as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
The top paying industries for a Prep Cook
Industry Sector
Average Annual Salary
Average Hourly Rate
Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities
$43,987
$21.0
30%
Aerospace & Defense
$42,295
$20.0
25%
MFG Nondurable
$40,603
$20.0
20%
Healthcare
$38,911
$19.0
15%
Business Services
$37,220
$18.0
10%
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
No Diploma6.1%
High School53.0%
Associates30.3%
Bachelors10.6%
Masters0.0%
Doctorate0.0%
view as table
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
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.
Hourly
Monthly
Weekly
Yearly
Table View
Last Updated on July 01, 2026
$31,677
Average$33,836/year
$36,519
$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
$36,519
$3,043
$702
$18
Average
$33,836
$2,820
$651
$16
25th Percentile
$31,677
$2,640
$609
$15
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.
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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Compensation Planning
Common company salaries for Prep Cook
Here are companies hiring for Prep Cook and their salaries, click below for more details.
C
$128,509/per year
C R Bard Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
H
$124,697/per year
Henry Schein Canada
Biotechnology
the United States
N
$123,899/per year
Nordex Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
N
$120,416/per year
Nipro Corp
Biotechnology
the United States
E
$115,870/per year
Enovis
Biotechnology
the United States
A
$114,553/per year
Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy
Biotechnology
the United States
M
$112,110/per year
MiniMed Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
L
$111,500/per year
Labcorp Drug Development
Biotechnology
the United States
L
$110,229/per year
Life Technologies Corp
Biotechnology
the United States
Z
$106,224/per year
Zimmer Biomet
Biotechnology
the United States
P
$103,077/per year
Promontory Therapeutics
Biotechnology
the United States
S
$102,181/per year
Steris PLC
Biotechnology
the United States
G
$97,274/per year
Gavin Conferences Pty Ltd
Biotechnology
the United States
E
$94,764/per year
Endeavor BioMedicines
Biotechnology
the United States
R
$94,402/per year
Replay Holdings LLC
Biotechnology
the United States
P
$94,235/per year
Pleno Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
S
$93,666/per year
Simulaids Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
N
$88,880/per year
NOIRLab/CAS
Biotechnology
the United States
O
$86,468/per year
Onward Technology
Biotechnology
the United States
L
$84,895/per year
LED Medical Diagnostics Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
E
$84,682/per year
Eyeco Ltd
Biotechnology
the United States
P
$84,523/per year
Paerosol
Biotechnology
the United States
I
$83,525/per year
IONIQ Sciences Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
S
$82,815/per year
Stateside PPE
Biotechnology
the United States
D
$82,041/per year
Digi Bio
Biotechnology
the United States
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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 $29,711.
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.
5. What industry pays the highest salary for Prep Cook?
The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Prep Cook roles,
with salaries approximately 30% 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.
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