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.
Cooks, Restaurant
SOC: 35-2014 O*NET: 35-2014.00
Median Salary
$36,830
per year
Job Growth
🚀 14.9%
Much Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
250.7
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Cooks, Restaurant do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$28,010
10th percentile
Early Career
$31,310
25th percentile
Median
$36,830
50th percentile
Experienced
$43,610
75th percentile
Top Earners
$47,340
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$28,010
25th
$31,310
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$36,830
Mean: $37,730
75th
$43,610
90th
$47,340
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $19,330 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $31,310 and $43,610
- •Salary spread is 33.4% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 1,452,130 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
High Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:1,460,200
Top Industries
Food Services and Drinking Places88.3%
Restaurants and Other Eating Places83.8%
Full-Service Restaurants74.3%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+14.9%
Annual Openings:250,700
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)1,460,200
Current
2034 (Projected)1,677,200
+14.9%
+217,000
Employment Change
+14.9%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Faster than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Cooks, Restaurant professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
160,270 jobs$44,2900.94x
Florida
134,480 jobs$36,3001.45x
Texas
125,880 jobs$34,0500.97x
New York
62,430 jobs$39,8900.69x
Illinois
61,630 jobs$36,6301.08x
Pennsylvania
54,830 jobs$35,3400.97x
North Carolina
50,400 jobs$35,2401.09x
Ohio
49,880 jobs$34,7500.96x
Georgia
49,320 jobs$35,0901.08x
Virginia
41,010 jobs$36,5801.07x
Michigan
37,860 jobs$36,5600.92x
Washington
34,790 jobs$44,9801.04x
Arizona
34,740 jobs$37,9401.15x
Colorado
33,920 jobs$39,1701.25x
Massachusetts
31,640 jobs$46,2800.92x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Faster than average growth expected
- •High current market demand
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Monitoring
100%
#2
Critical Thinking
80%
#3
Speaking
60%
#4
Time Management
40%
Skills Overview
Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.0
80%
Speaking
intermediate3.0
60%
Time Management
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Time Management
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service80%
4 shared skills
Fence Erectors67%
4 shared skills
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks67%
4 shared skills
Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers60%
3 shared skills
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers60%
3 shared skills
Actors57%
4 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
Learn on the Job:
- →Speaking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Cooks, Restaurant
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
Facebook
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
20
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (14)Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)Communication & Coordination (1)Planning & Development (2)
1
Turn or stir foods to ensure even cooking.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Season and cook food according to recipes or personal judgment and experience.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Observe and test foods to determine if they have been cooked sufficiently, using methods such as tasting, smelling, or piercing them with utensils.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Weigh, measure, and mix ingredients according to recipes or personal judgment, using various kitchen utensils and equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Portion, arrange, and garnish food, and serve food to waiters or patrons.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Substitute for or assist other cooks during emergencies or rush periods.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Bake, roast, broil, and steam meats, fish, vegetables, and other foods.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Wash, peel, cut, and seed fruits and vegetables to prepare them for consumption.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Estimate expected food consumption, requisition or purchase supplies, or procure food from storage.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Carve and trim meats such as beef, veal, ham, pork, and lamb for hot or cold service, or for sandwiches.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •35% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Cooks, Restaurant
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Cooks, Restaurant professionals typically have a RCE Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
EEnterprising
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Cooks, Restaurant
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.60
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.42
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.27
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.19
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level3.91
Adaptability/Flexibility
ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level3.91
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.6
Cooperation
4.4
Stress Tolerance
4.3
Attention to Detail
4.2
Self-Control
3.9
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.9
Integrity
3.9
Social Orientation
3.6
Independence
3.6
Concern for Others
3.5
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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