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Amtrak Cook Jobs (NOW HIRING)

... Amtrak a company of the future. SUMMARY OF DUTIES: The Chef/Line Cook is responsible for meal preparation in the kitchen on board our dining cars. The Chef/Line Cook must have the ability to offer ...

... Amtrak a company of the future. SUMMARY OF DUTIES: The Chef/Line Cook is responsible for meal preparation in the kitchen on board our dining cars. The Chef/Line Cook must have the ability to offer ...

Cook

Goleta, CA

$21 - $27/hr

Reach the airport, Amtrak station, and University of California-Santa Barbara in less than 10 ... As a Line Cook, you will deliver exceptional Guest Services as part of our Food & Beverage ...

Cook

Goleta, CA · On-site

$21 - $27/hr

Reach the airport, Amtrak station, and University of California-Santa Barbara in less than 10 ... As a Line Cook, you will deliver exceptional Guest Services as part of our Food & Beverage ...

Amtrak Cook information

See salary details

$8

$16

$22

How much do amtrak cook jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for amtrak cook in the United States is $16.03, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.46 and $18.03 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a typical workday like for an Amtrak Cook, and how does the onboard environment affect the role?

As an Amtrak Cook, your workday involves preparing and cooking meals for passengers while maintaining high standards of cleanliness and food safety in a compact, moving kitchen. You'll collaborate closely with kitchen staff and onboard service crew to ensure meals are served efficiently and meet Amtrak’s quality standards. The train environment requires you to be especially adaptable, as you may encounter shifting schedules, limited storage, and the need to multitask during periods of high demand. This dynamic setting offers a unique mix of culinary challenges and customer interaction, making every day different and rewarding.

Does Amtrak have a chef?

Amtrak cooks are responsible for preparing meals on trains, and some routes employ chefs or culinary staff to ensure quality food service. These roles typically require culinary skills, food safety knowledge, and the ability to work in a mobile environment. The specific presence of a chef depends on the route and service class offered.

What is the Amtrak 750 mile rule?

The Amtrak 750 mile rule refers to a policy where employees, including cooks working on Amtrak, are typically eligible for certain benefits or travel privileges after completing 750 miles of service or travel. It is often related to seniority, travel discounts, or qualification for specific job-related perks. Exact details can vary based on employment agreements and union contracts.

Is it hard to get hired by Amtrak?

Getting hired as an Amtrak cook involves a competitive application process that includes submitting a resume, completing an interview, and sometimes passing a background check. Relevant experience in food service and customer service skills can improve chances, but the hiring process can vary in difficulty depending on the position and location.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Amtrak Cook position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Amtrak Cook, you need solid culinary skills, knowledge of food safety, and experience in high-volume food preparation, typically supported by a food handler’s certification or relevant hospitality training. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, inventory management systems, and safe food storage techniques is important. Strong teamwork, adaptability, and excellent customer service help you stand out in this fast-paced, passenger-focused environment. These skills ensure food is prepared safely and efficiently while maintaining service quality in a unique, mobile setting.

How much does an Amtrak cook make?

An Amtrak cook typically earns around $15 to $20 per hour, depending on experience and location. The position may include benefits such as travel discounts and flexible schedules, with some cooks earning annual salaries between $30,000 and $40,000.

What is an Amtrak Cook job?

An Amtrak Cook is responsible for preparing and cooking meals for passengers aboard Amtrak trains. They follow set recipes, ensure food quality and safety, and maintain cleanliness in the kitchen area. Cooks must work efficiently in a fast-paced, confined space while adhering to Amtrak's food service standards. Additionally, they may assist with inventory management and customer service to provide a positive dining experience for passengers.

What are the most commonly searched types of Amtrak Cook jobs? The most popular types of Amtrak Cook jobs are:
What states have the most Amtrak Cook jobs? States with the most job openings for Amtrak Cook jobs include:
Infographic showing various Amtrak Cook job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $33,340 per year, or $16 per hour.
Chef - On Board Customer Service - 90348593 - Chicago

Chef - On Board Customer Service - 90348593 - Chicago

Amtrak

Chicago, IL • On-site

$29.27/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 2 days ago


Amtrak rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 144 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

38th of 96 rated public transport


Job description

Your success is a train ride away!
As we move America's workforce toward the future, Amtrak connects businesses and communities across the country. We employ more than 20,000 diverse, energetic professionals in a variety of career fields throughout the United States. The safety of our passengers, our employees, the public and our operating environment is our priority, and the success of our railroad is due to our employees.
Are you ready to join our team?
Our values of 'Do the Right Thing, Excel Together and Put Customers First' are at the heart of what matters most to us, and our Core Capabilities, 'Building Trust, Accountability, Effective Communication, Customer Focus, and Proactive Safety & Security' are what every employee needs to know and do to be most impactful at Amtrak. By living the Amtrak values, focusing on our capabilities, and actively embracing and fostering diverse ideas, backgrounds, and perspectives, together we will honor our past and make Amtrak a company of the future.
SUMMARY OF DUTIES:
The Chef/Line Cook is responsible for meal preparation in the kitchen on board our dining cars. The Chef/Line Cook must have the ability to offer our passengers a wide variety of full-course meals that are freshly prepared in our kitchens. They must assist with loading/unloading, verification, handling and storage of all food and service products as well as cooking, plating, supplies, food prep, pantry, and providing to the servers all items on the current menu. They will wash any and all utensils, pots and pans, and will keep the entire lower level of the car clean.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
• Prepare full-course meals for Amtrak passengers.
• Assist with all phases of meal preparations.
• Wash all items used in the preparation of meals in compliance with FDA sanitation regulations and standards.
• Must complete all end-point duties.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Previous work experience in a restaurant as a Chef/Line Cook.
  • High School Diploma/GED
  • Must be able to lift up to 50lbs.
  • Customer Service Experience

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Servsafe Certification
COMMUNICATIONS AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:
Must have excellent written and oral communication skills.
The training pay is $21.00/hour. Upon completion of training, the pay will go to $29.27/hour (with opportunity for increases, as per the applicable collective bargaining agreement, after beginning employment).
Health and WellbeingFinancial and RetirementWork and Family Life SupportHealth, Dental, and Vision Insurance401K Rail Pass PrivilegesWellness ProgramsRailroad Retirement BenefitsEmployee Assistance ProgramMedical Plan Opt-out CreditLife InsuranceCommuter and Flexible Spending AccountsNo-cost Personal Health AdvocateNo-cost Financial Advisor SessionFertility and Family Building Benefits
Some benefits are subject to the collective bargaining agreement. Learn more about our benefits offerings here.
Requisition ID:166702
Posting Location(s):Illinois
Relocation Offered:No
Travel Requirements:Up to 100%
You power our progress through your performance.
We want your work at Amtrak to be more than a job. We want your career at Amtrak to be a fulfilling experience where you find challenging work, rewarding opportunities, respect among colleagues, and attractive compensation. Amtrak maintains a culture that values high performance and recognizes individual employee contributions.
Amtrak is committed to a safe workplace free of drugs and alcohol. All Amtrak positions requires a pre-employment background check that includes prior employment verification, a criminal history check and a pre-employment drug screen.
Candidates who test positive for marijuana will be disqualified, regardless of any state or local statute, ordinance, regulation, or other law that legalizes or decriminalizes the use or possession of marijuana, whether for medical, recreational, or other use. Amtrak's pre-employment drug testing program is administered in accordance with DOT regulations and applicable law.
In accordance with DOT regulations (49 CFR § 40.25), Amtrak is required to obtain prior drug and alcohol testing records for applicants/employees intending to perform safety-sensitive duties for covered Department of Transportation positions. If an applicant/employee refuses to provide written consent for Amtrak to obtain these records, the individual will not be permitted to perform safety-sensitive functions.
In accordance with federal law governing security checks of covered individuals for providers of public transportation (Title 6 U.S.C. §1143), Amtrak is required to screen applicants for any permanent or interim disqualifying criminal offenses.
Note that any education requirement listed above may be deemed satisfied if you have an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Amtrak is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/color, to include traits historically associated with race, including but not limited to, hair texture and hairstyles such as braids, locks and twists, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions, such as lactation), national origin/ethnicity, disability (intellectual, mental and physical), veteran status, marital status, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, genetic information, citizenship or any other personal characteristics protected by law.

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About Amtrak

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

As we move America's workforce toward the future, Amtrak connects businesses and communities across the country. We employ more than 20,000 diverse, energetic professionals in a variety of career fields throughout the United States. The safety of our passengers, our employees, the public and our operating environment is our priority, and the success of our railroad is due to our employees.

Industry

Travel arrangement services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Washington, DC, US

Year founded

1971