As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cooks in the United States is $36,709 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $18.
However, a Cooks's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI Onboarding
AI-Powered Talent
A Cooks'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Cooks'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Cooks | $36,310 |
| Intermediate Level Cooks | $36,595 |
| Senior Level Cooks | $37,166 |
| Specialist Level Cooks | $38,016 |
| Expert Level Cooks | $39,174 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Cooks. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Commitment | 8.4% |
| Food Service | 3.6% |
| Safety Regulations | 1.59% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Commitment
|
$43,684 |
19%
|
|
Coaching
|
$40,380 |
10%
|
|
Merchandising
|
$39,646 |
8%
|
|
Food Safety
|
$39,279 |
7%
|
|
Leadership
|
$39,279 |
7%
|
|
Foodservice
|
$38,912 |
6%
|
For Cooks roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Cooks positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Cooks as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $47,722 | $23.0 | 30% |
| Software & Networking | $45,886 | $22.0 | 25% |
| Construction | $44,051 | $21.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $42,216 | $20.0 | 15% |
| Business Services | $40,380 | $19.0 | 10% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many 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 Cooks with a No Diploma is between $38,281 and $41,120).
Cooks Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 2.3% |
| High School | 43.4% |
| Associates | 37.6% |
| Bachelors | 15.7% |
| Masters | 0.6% |
| Doctorate | 0.3% |
Understanding how a Cooks'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, 2026Salaries for a Cooks can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $39,858 in 2023 to around $39,397 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Cooks salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $39,858 |
| 2024 | $39,630 |
| 2025 | $39,397 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Cooks and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Cooks job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Cooks roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.
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.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
