What are the main factors that influence a Prep Cook's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change A Prep Cook's salary?

A Prep Cook's salary grows with experience: starting around $32,729 for beginners, reaching about $33,627 at mid-level, and approach $34,814 for experts.

What are the highest paying states for a Prep Cook?

Prep Cook salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Prep Cook roles are District of Columbia $40,890, California $40,735, Massachusetts $40,192. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Prep Cook roles make?

Salaries for Prep Cook level roles vary by specialization: Cook III: $42,443; Line Cook/Prep: $38,834; Prep Cook II: $38,643; Senior Prep Cook: $38,622; Senior Line Cook/Prep Cook: $37,970.

Prep Cook Salary in Delaware

How much does a Prep Cook make in Delaware?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Prep Cook in Delaware is $37,400 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $18.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $46,540
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $33,957 to $42,184
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $30,823

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Prep Cook Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$42,184	$3,515	$811	$20
Average	$37,400	$3,117	$719	$18
25th Percentile	$33,957	$2,830	$653	$16

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Key Factors That Influence Prep Cook Salaries

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 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): $32,729
Early Career (1-2 years): $32,793
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $33,627
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $34,735
Expert (over 8 years): $34,814

Levels	Salary
Entry Level Prep Cook	$32,729
Intermediate Level Prep Cook	$32,793
Senior Level Prep Cook	$33,627
Specialist Level Prep Cook	$34,735
Expert Level Prep Cook	$34,814

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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:

District of Columbia: $40,890.
California: $40,735.
Massachusetts: $40,192.

District of Columbia $40,890 California $40,735 Massachusetts $40,192 Washington $40,044 New Jersey $40,030 Alaska $39,978 Connecticut $39,468 New York $39,261

Hawaii $38,600 Rhode Island $38,290 Maryland $38,080 Minnesota $37,791 Colorado $37,681 Illinois $37,644 Oregon $37,503 Delaware $37,400

New Hampshire $37,335 Virginia $37,190 Pennsylvania $36,765 Nevada $36,551 North Dakota $36,480 Michigan $36,370 Wisconsin $36,329 Vermont $36,248

Texas $36,022 Maine $36,008 Arizona $35,986 Ohio $35,960 Georgia $35,620 Indiana $35,450 Wyoming $35,417 Utah $35,365

Iowa $35,343 Kansas $35,166 Louisiana $35,114 North Carolina $35,096 Missouri $35,088 Florida $34,944 Montana $34,867 Nebraska $34,793

Kentucky $34,752 South Carolina $34,604 Tennessee $34,512 Idaho $34,475 New Mexico $34,205 Oklahoma $34,146 Alabama $33,929 South Dakota $33,563

Arkansas $33,363 West Virginia $33,256 Mississippi $32,935

Top Paying Cities for Prep 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:

Lincoln: $37,232
Little Creek: $37,504
Magnolia: $37,450

Lincoln, DE $37,232 Little Creek, DE $37,504 Magnolia, DE $37,450 Milford, DE $37,326 Marydel, DE $37,387 Millsboro, DE $37,075 Millville, DE $37,133 Milton, DE $37,197

Nassau, DE $37,224 Ocean View, DE $37,126 Rehoboth Beach, DE $37,198 Seaford, DE $37,219 Selbyville, DE $37,065 Smyrna, DE $37,530 Viola, DE $37,357 Woodside, DE $37,458

Bear, DE $37,371 Newark, DE $37,357 Claymont, DE $37,434 Delaware City, DE $37,394 Hockessin, DE $37,354 Kirkwood, DE $37,387 Middletown, DE $37,402 Montchanin, DE $37,362

New Castle, DE $37,368 Odessa, DE $37,420 Port Penn, DE $37,445 Rockland, DE $37,366 Saint Georges, DE $37,390 Townsend, DE $37,448 Winterthur, DE $37,370 Lewes, DE $37,211

Wilmington, DE $37,356 Dover, DE $37,504 Dover Afb, DE $37,307 Bethany Beach, DE $37,087 Bethel, DE $37,126 Bridgeville, DE $37,213 Camden Wyoming, DE $37,399 Cheswold, DE $37,492

Clayton, DE $37,493 Dagsboro, DE $37,061 Delmar, DE $37,002 Ellendale, DE $37,114 Felton, DE $37,323 Fenwick Island, DE $37,069 Frankford, DE $37,005 Frederica, DE $37,360

Georgetown, DE $37,047 Greenwood, DE $37,219 Harbeson, DE $37,087 Harrington, DE $37,276 Hartly, DE $37,392 Houston, DE $37,223 Kenton, DE $37,495 Laurel, DE $37,025

Yorklyn, DE $37,365

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	$48,620	$23.0	30%
Aerospace & Defense	$46,750	$22.0	25%
MFG Nondurable	$44,880	$22.0	20%
Healthcare	$43,010	$21.0	15%
Business Services	$41,140	$20.0	10%

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.

Last Updated on July 01, 2026

$33,957

Average $37,400/year

$42,184

$2,830

Average $3,117/month

$3,515

$653

Average $719/week

$811

$16

Average $18/hour

$20

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$42,184	$3,515	$811	$20
Average	$37,400	$3,117	$719	$18
25th Percentile	$33,957	$2,830	$653	$16

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