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Restaurant Line Cook Salary in the United States

How much does a Restaurant Line Cook make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Restaurant Line Cook in the United States is $34,559 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $17.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $39,842
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $32,360 to $37,324
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $30,358
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Restaurant Line Cook Salaries

A Restaurant Line 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 Restaurant Line Cook Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Restaurant Line 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): $33,963
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $34,763
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $35,251
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $35,373
  • Expert (over 8 years): $35,576
Levels Salary
Entry Level Restaurant Line Cook$33,963
Intermediate Level Restaurant Line Cook$34,763
Senior Level Restaurant Line Cook$35,251
Specialist Level Restaurant Line Cook$35,373
Expert Level Restaurant Line Cook$35,576
View as Graph

How Do Restaurant Line 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 Restaurant Line Cooks. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $38,264.
  • California: $38,119.
  • Massachusetts: $37,611.

Top Paying Cities for Restaurant Line 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: $43,590
  • San Francisco: $43,113
  • Oakland: $42,204

Restaurant Line Cook Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Restaurant Line Cook roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 27% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 12% above the average. In contrast, Restaurant Line Cook positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Restaurant Line Cook as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Restaurant Line Cook

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$38,707$19.012%
Biotechnology$38,015$18.010%
Energy & Utilities$37,324$18.08%
Software & Networking$37,324$18.08%
Transportation$36,979$18.07%

Restaurant Line Cook Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Restaurant Line 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 September 01, 2026
$32,360
Average $34,559/year
$37,324
$2,697
Average $2,880/month
$3,110
$622
Average $665/week
$718
$16
Average $17/hour
$18
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $37,324 $3,110 $718 $18
Average $34,559 $2,880 $665 $17
25th Percentile $32,360 $2,697 $622 $16

Most common benefits for Restaurant Line Cook

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Restaurant Line Cook

Here are companies hiring for Restaurant Line Cook and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Restaurant Line Cook

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Restaurant Line Cook?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Restaurant Line Cook roles, with salaries approximately 12% above the market median.

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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