Assistant Cook/Cook Salary in the United States

How much does an Assistant Cook/Cook make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for an Assistant Cook/Cook in the United States is $39,193 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $19.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $45,488
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $35,873 to $42,488
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $32,851
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Paid Annually Paid Monthly Paid Semimonthly Paid Biweekly Paid Weekly Paid Hourly
View as table View as graph 25% $35,873 10% $32,851 90% $45,488 75% $42,488 $39,193 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Assistant Cook/Cook Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $42,488 $3,541 $817 $20
Average $39,193 $3,266 $754 $19
25th Percentile $35,873 $2,989 $690 $17
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Key Factors That Influence Assistant Cook/Cook Salaries

An Assistant Cook/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 Do Assistant Cook/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 Assistant Cook/Cooks. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $43,394.
  • California: $43,230.
  • Massachusetts: $42,654.

Top Paying Cities for Assistant Cook/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: $49,434
  • San Francisco: $48,893
  • Oakland: $47,862

What Skills Can Increase an Assistant Cook/Cook's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 29.14% 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.
  • Food Safety (Mentioned in 2.16% Job Postings): Applying procedures during food preparation, processing, storage, and distribution to ensure consumers are safe from foodborne illnesses.
  • Foodservice (Mentioned in 1.13% 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.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 29.14%
Food Safety 2.16%
Foodservice 1.13%
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 an Assistant Cook/Cook's salary.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Store Management: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • WFM: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Collaboration
 $41,153
5%
Store Management
 $41,153
5%
WFM
 $41,153
5%
Housekeeping
 $40,761
4%
Coaching
 $40,761
4%
Medical Prescriptions
 $40,761
4%
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Assistant Cook/Cook Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Assistant Cook/Cook roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Assistant Cook/Cook positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Assistant Cook/Cook as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Assistant Cook/Cook

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$48,991$24.025%
Financial Services$47,031$23.020%
Aerospace & Defense$45,072$22.015%
Internet$45,072$22.015%
Pharmaceuticals$45,072$22.015%

How Education impacts an Assistant Cook/Cook's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Assistant Cook/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 an Assistant Cook/Cook with a No Diploma is between $31,664 and $34,050).

Assistant Cook/Cook Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Assistant Cook/Cook
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 10.5%
High School 52.3%
Associates 12.5%
Bachelors 22.0%
Masters 2.4%
Doctorate 0.3%
view as graph

Assistant Cook/Cook Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Assistant Cook/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
$35,873
Average $39,193/year
$42,488
$2,989
Average $3,266/month
$3,541
$690
Average $754/week
$817
$17
Average $19/hour
$20
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $42,488 $3,541 $817 $20
Average $39,193 $3,266 $754 $19
25th Percentile $35,873 $2,989 $690 $17

Salary Trends for Assistant Cook/Cook

Salaries for an Assistant Cook/Cook can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $38,675 in 2023 to around $38,628 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Assistant Cook/Cook salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Assistant Cook/Cook Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$38,675
2024
$38,931
2025
$38,628
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $38,675
2024 $38,931
2025 $38,628
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Assistant Cook/Cook

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

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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.)

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