What Cooks, Restaurant do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Cooks, Restaurant this way: "Prepare, season, and cook dishes such as soups, meats, vegetables, or desserts in restaurants. May order supplies, keep records and accounts, price items on menu, or plan menu."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Turn or stir foods to ensure even cooking"; "Season and cook food according to recipes or personal judgment and experience"; "Observe and test foods to determine if they have been cooked sufficiently, using methods such as tasting, smelling, or piercing them with utensils"; "Weigh, measure, and mix ingredients according to recipes or personal judgment, using various kitchen utensils and equipment"; "Portion, arrange, and garnish food, and serve food to waiters or patrons".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is no formal educational credential. Work experience in a related occupation is typically less than 5 years. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is moderate-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Cooks, Restaurant
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 1,417,500 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 1,588,800 in 2035, an increase of 171,300 jobs (+12.1%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 218,600 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 15.4% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $37,390, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Cooks, Restaurant earn the most
Across the 32 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $34,241 in Texas to $46,257 in Washington, a gap of $12,016 (1.35 times). 19 of those 32 states average above the BLS national median of $37,390 and 13 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 151,800, which is 9.1% of the 1,669,330 counted across them. Texas follows with 125,210.
Highest-paying states
Washington ($46,257), New Hampshire ($44,655) and California ($44,367) lead the ranking, while Texas ($34,241) and Kentucky ($34,463) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Cooks, Restaurant: pay against the cost of living
We compare 55 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Jefferson County, WV (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV) at $15,636. The weakest market is Kings County, NY, where the basics cost $5,412 more than take-home pay.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 50 of the 55 markets and falls short in 5. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 35.7% and 92.3% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Cooks, Restaurant
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria, Cooks, Short Order and Cooks, Fast Food belong to the same detailed SOC group. Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (35-2000) include Food Preparation Workers.
Frequently asked questions about Cooks, Restaurant
How much do Cooks, Restaurant earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $37,390. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $34,241 to $46,257.
Which state pays Cooks, Restaurant the most?
Washington, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $46,257. New Hampshire is next at $44,655.
Is Cooks, Restaurant a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 12.1% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 218,600 openings a year.
What education do Cooks, Restaurant need?
The typical entry-level education is no formal educational credential, with work experience in a related occupation of less than 5 years and moderate-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Cooks, Restaurant afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Jefferson County, WV leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $15,636 on a median wage of $42,920.