As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Experienced Line Cooks in the United States is $38,926 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $19.
However, an Experienced Line Cooks's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Experienced Line Cooks Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $43,422 | $3,619 | $835 | $21 |
| Average | $38,926 | $3,244 | $749 | $19 |
| 25th Percentile | $35,018 | $2,918 | $673 | $17 |
An Experienced Line 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 an Experienced Line 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 Experienced Line Cooks | $37,306 |
| Intermediate Level Experienced Line Cooks | $37,599 |
| Senior Level Experienced Line Cooks | $38,185 |
| Specialist Level Experienced Line Cooks | $39,059 |
| Expert Level Experienced Line Cooks | $40,249 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Commitment | 8.4% |
| Food Service | 3.6% |
| Safety Regulations | 1.59% |
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 Experienced Line Cooks's salary.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Commitment | $46,322 | |
| Coaching | $42,819 | |
| Merchandising | $42,041 |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Experienced Line 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 Experienced Line Cooks with a No Diploma is between $38,281 and $41,120).
| Typical Education for Experienced Line Cooks | |
|---|---|
| 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 an Experienced Line 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $43,422 | $3,619 | $835 | $21 |
| Average | $38,926 | $3,244 | $749 | $19 |
| 25th Percentile | $35,018 | $2,918 | $673 | $17 |
Salaries for an Experienced Line Cooks can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $39,899 in 2023 to around $39,437 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Experienced Line Cooks salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $39,899 |
| 2024 | $39,670 |
| 2025 | $39,437 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Experienced Line 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: