Kitchen Associate Salary in the United States

How much does a Kitchen Associate make in the United States?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Kitchen Associate in the United States is $55,246 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $69,043
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $49,146 to $62,468
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $43,592
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View as table View as graph 25% $49,146 10% $43,592 90% $69,043 75% $62,468 $55,246 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Kitchen Associate Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $62,468 $5,206 $1,201 $30
Average $55,246 $4,604 $1,062 $27
25th Percentile $49,146 $4,095 $945 $24
Check out Kitchen Associate Job Openings in the United States
Kitchen Associate

Beck Suppliers, Inc - Norwalk, OH

Kitchen Associate

Coen Markets - Powhatan Point, OH

Kitchen Associate

HEINEN'S - Chagrin Falls, OH

Kitchen Associate

Beck Suppliers, Inc - Canal Winchester, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Kitchen Associate Salaries

A Kitchen Associate'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 Kitchen Associate Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Kitchen Associate'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): $52,432
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $52,706
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $54,715
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $57,051
  • Expert (over 8 years): $57,370
Levels Salary
Entry Level Kitchen Associate$52,432
Intermediate Level Kitchen Associate$52,706
Senior Level Kitchen Associate$54,715
Specialist Level Kitchen Associate$57,051
Expert Level Kitchen Associate$57,370
$52,432 0 yr
$52,706 < 2 yrs
$54,715 2-4 yrs
$57,051 5-8 yrs
$57,370 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Kitchen Associate 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 Kitchen Associates. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $61,168.
  • California: $60,936.
  • Massachusetts: $60,124.

Top Paying Cities for Kitchen Associates

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: $69,681
  • San Francisco: $68,918
  • Oakland: $67,466

What Skills Can Increase a Kitchen Associate's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 10.43% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Kitchen Operations (Mentioned in 1.7% Job Postings): Refers to the overall management of a kitchen. This can include anything from organizing your staff to familiarizing yourself with all the time-saving equipment needed to store, prep, and cook food exceptionally well.
  • Food and Beverage Services (Mentioned in 1.15% Job Postings): Food and Beverage Services can be broadly defined as the process of preparing, presenting and serving of food and beverages to the customers.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 10.43%
Kitchen Operations 1.7%
Food and Beverage Services 1.15%
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 Kitchen Associate's salary.
  • Motivating: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Written Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Accountability: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Motivating
 $62,428
13%
Written Communication
 $60,218
9%
Accountability
 $59,113
7%
Microsoft Office
 $59,113
7%
Product Quality
 $59,113
7%
Catering
 $58,560
6%
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How Education impacts a Kitchen Associate's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Kitchen Associates enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate 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 Kitchen Associate with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $56,492 and $61,157).

Kitchen Associate Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Kitchen Associate
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 3.2%
High School 45.6%
Associates 29.0%
Bachelors 20.7%
Masters 1.4%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Kitchen Associate Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Kitchen Associate'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 May 01, 2026
$49,146
Average $55,246/year
$62,468
$4,095
Average $4,604/month
$5,206
$945
Average $1,062/week
$1,201
$24
Average $27/hour
$30
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $62,468 $5,206 $1,201 $30
Average $55,246 $4,604 $1,062 $27
25th Percentile $49,146 $4,095 $945 $24

Salaries of jobs related to Kitchen Associate

Salary Trends for Kitchen Associate

Salaries for a Kitchen Associate can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $43,412 in 2023 to around $43,356 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Kitchen Associate salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Kitchen Associate Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$43,412
2024
$44,094
2025
$43,356
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $43,412
2024 $44,094
2025 $43,356
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Kitchen Associate

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

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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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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