Average salary, compensation, and wages for Chefs, cooks, and food preparation workers in the United StatesWages of chefs, cooks, and food preparation workers vary greatly according to region of the country and the type of food services establishment in which they work. Wages usually are highest in elegant restaurants and hotels, where many executive chefs are employed, and in major metropolitan areas. Median hourly earnings of chefs and head cooks were $13.43 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $9.86 and $19.03. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $7.66, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $25.86 per hour. Median hourly earnings in the industries employing the largest number of head cooks and chefs in 2002 were:
Median hourly earnings of restaurant cooks were $9.16 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $7.64 and $10.93. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $6.58, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $13.21 per hour. Median hourly earnings in the industries employing the largest number of restaurant cooks in 2002 were:
Median hourly earnings of institution and cafeteria cooks were $8.72 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $7.06 and $10.83. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $6.10, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $13.34 per hour. Median hourly earnings in the industries employing the largest number of institution and cafeteria cooks in 2002 were:
Median hourly earnings of food preparation workers were $7.85 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $6.72 and $9.43. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $5.96, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $11.37 per hour. Median hourly earnings in the industries employing the largest number of food preparation workers in 2002 were:
Median hourly earnings of short-order cooks were $7.82 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $6.69 and $9.59. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $5.93, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $11.25 per hour. Median hourly earnings in the industries employing the largest number of short-order cooks in 2002 were:
Median hourly earnings of fast-food cooks were $6.90 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $6.16 and $8.03. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $5.68, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $9.13 per hour. Median hourly earnings in the industries employing the largest number of fast-food cooks in 2002 were:
Some employers provide employees with uniforms and free meals, but Federal law permits employers to deduct from their employees� wages the cost or fair value of any meals or lodging provided, and some employers do so. Chefs, cooks, and food preparation workers who work full time often receive typical benefits, but part-time workers usually do not. In some large hotels and restaurants, kitchen workers belong to unions. The principal unions are the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union and the Service Employees International Union. More information on Chefs, cooks, and food preparation workers from The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook Overview of Chefs, cooks, and food preparation workers occupation Number of Chefs, cooks, and food preparation workers in the U.S. Salary and earnings for Chefs, cooks, and food preparation workers Working conditions for Chefs, cooks, and food preparation workers Significant points for Chefs, cooks, and food preparation workers Training requirements for Chefs, cooks, and food preparation workers Labor Information Home | Occupational data by city | Search Rainforests | Madagascar | What's new |