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Cooker Jobs (NOW HIRING)

greater med staffing

Cooker

Brooklyn, NY

$16 - $20/hr

... Cooking skills - Culinary knowledge - Experience in the food industry - Packaging expertise - Catering experience - Pastry techniques - Kitchen operations familiarity - Knife handling skills - Food ...

Darling Ingredients Inc.

Cooker Operator

Sioux City, IA · On-site

$27.11/hr

Job Summary The Cooker Operator is responsible for the operation of PLC to control the machinery. They must monitor pumps and grinders to ensure quality assurance. Shift: Night Shift Essential Duties ...

BestCo

Cooker Operator I

Mooresville, NC · On-site

$15.75 - $19.25/hr

Cooker Operator I - C Shift (6p-6a) We believe being healthy should not require tradeoffs. SCN BestCo is a leading innovator, developer and manufacturer of Vitamin, Mineral & Supplement (VMS), Over ...

Darling Ingredients

Cooker Operator

Sioux City, IA

$16.25 - $21/hr

Job Summary The Cooker Operator is responsible for the operation of PLC to control the machinery. They must monitor pumps and grinders to ensure quality assurance. Shift: Night Shift Essential Duties ...

Darling Ingredients Inc.

Cooker Operator

Sioux City, IA · On-site

$27.11/hr

Job Summary The Cooker Operator is responsible for the operation of PLC to control the machinery. They must monitor pumps and grinders to ensure quality assurance. Shift: Night Shift Essential Duties ...

Darling Ingredients

Cooker Operator

Linkwood, MD

Job Summary The Cooker Operator is responsible for the operation of PLC to control the machinery. They must monitor pumps and grinders to ensure quality assurance. Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

Darling Ingredients Inc.

Cooker Operator

Linkwood, MD · On-site

$21.53/hr

Job Summary The Cooker Operator is responsible for the operation of PLC to control the machinery. They must monitor pumps and grinders to ensure quality assurance. Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

Darling Ingredients Inc.

Cooker Operator

Linkwood, MD · On-site

$21.53/hr

Job Summary The Cooker Operator is responsible for the operation of PLC to control the machinery. They must monitor pumps and grinders to ensure quality assurance. Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

Nola's Cookery

Cook

New Orleans, LA

$13.25 - $17.75/hr

We are looking for an experienced Cook to join our team! You will be preparing and cooking a variety of dishes for restaurant guests to enjoy. You are passionate about creating exceptional dining ...

Nola's Cookery

Cook

New Orleans, LA · On-site

$13.25 - $17.75/hr

We are looking for an experienced Cook to join our team! You will be preparing and cooking a variety of dishes for restaurant guests to enjoy. You are passionate about creating exceptional dining ...

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Cooker information

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$15

$19

$21

How much do cooker jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for cooker in the United States is $19.13, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.79 and $20.43 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Cooker, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Cooker (Chef or Cook), you need a solid understanding of food preparation, cooking techniques, and food safety standards, often gained through culinary school or hands-on experience. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, inventory management systems, and certifications like ServSafe are typically required. Attention to detail, time management, and teamwork are vital soft skills that set exceptional cooks apart. These skills and qualifications ensure efficient kitchen operations, high-quality dishes, and a safe dining environment for customers.

What is the difference between Cooker vs Chef?

AspectCookerChef
CredentialsBasic culinary skills, sometimes certifications in food safetyFormal culinary education or extensive experience, culinary certifications
Work EnvironmentCommercial kitchens, restaurants, catering servicesProfessional kitchens, restaurants, hotels, culinary establishments
ResponsibilitiesPreparing and cooking food according to recipesOverseeing kitchen operations, menu creation, supervising cooks

The main difference between a Cooker and a Chef lies in their roles and responsibilities. A Cooker typically focuses on preparing and cooking food, often with basic skills and certifications. A Chef, on the other hand, has advanced culinary training, oversees kitchen operations, and is responsible for menu development. While both work in similar environments, the Chef's role is more managerial and creative, whereas the Cooker primarily executes cooking tasks.

What are some common challenges a professional cooker faces in a high-volume kitchen, and how can they be managed?

In a high-volume kitchen, cookers often face challenges such as managing time efficiently, maintaining consistency in food quality, and handling pressure during peak service hours. To manage these, it's important to develop strong organizational skills, communicate clearly with kitchen staff, and stay calm under pressure. Many successful cookers also rely on prep work and mise en place to streamline service and ensure a smooth workflow. Building good relationships with team members helps foster a supportive environment, making it easier to overcome challenges together.

What does a cooker do?

A cooker, often referred to as a cook or chef, is responsible for preparing and cooking food in restaurants, cafeterias, or other dining establishments. Their duties include following recipes, measuring and mixing ingredients, monitoring food while it cooks, and ensuring meals are served at the right temperature and presentation. Cookers also maintain kitchen cleanliness and adhere to food safety standards. Depending on the workplace, their responsibilities may range from simple food preparation to creating complex dishes.
More about Cooker jobs
What cities are hiring for Cooker jobs? Cities with the most Cooker job openings:
What states have the most Cooker jobs? States with the most job openings for Cooker jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Cooker jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Cooker jobs are:
Cooker jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cooker job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 63% Full Time, 35% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $39,800 per year, or $19.1 per hour.
Cooker Operator

Cooker Operator

Automation Personnel Services

Bessemer, AL • On-site

$23/hr

Contractor

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 25 days ago

Job description

COOKER OPERATOR 
Automation Personnel Services is looking for a Cooker Operator for a company based in Bessemer, AL. With this opportunity it offers hands-on, steady work that plays an important role in protecting public health and the environment. It’s a great opportunity for someone who enjoys physical activity, working outdoors, and learning practical skills in equipment operation, maintenance, and basic treatment processes.

Pay Rate 
$23.00 per hour

Schedule and Hours 
Monday through Saturday, 12 00 am to 8 30 am.

Cooker Operator Duties and Responsibilities
  • Operate and control cooker machinery used to heat and process waste materials
  • Monitor temperature, pressure, and processing times to ensure proper treatment
  • Load raw materials into equipment and remove processed material
  • Inspect equipment regularly and report troubleshooting issues
  • Perform routine cleaning and maintenance of cookers and surrounding work areas
  • Follow all safety, environmental, and operational procedures
  • Maintain accurate logs of production and equipment performance
Cooker Operator Qualifications and Requirements
  • Be comfortable lifting materials up to 60 pounds and walking long distances throughout your shift.
  • Detail oriented and Computer literate
  • Comfortable working in a non-climate-controlled environment. 
  • Experience in operating large trucks specifically manuals (stick shift).
  • Experience in Maintenance, Welding would be a plus. 
  • Comfortable training in other areas as needed.
Job Type 
Full-time
 
Benefits 
  • Weekly Pay
  • Medical, dental, vision, short-term disability, and life insurance
  • 40 Hours Service Bonus after 1 year of continuous service and 1500 hours
  • 6 paid Holidays after 1 year of continuous service and 1500 hours
401(k) Retirement Plan
Automation Personnel Services is the only staffing agency specializing in manufacturing and industrial roles that offers 401(k) matching to all eligible contingent and temporary associates.

Click Apply Now to submit your application or call us at 205.444.9774 to learn more. You can also apply in person at our office located at 
Automation Personnel Services Pelham Branch
2145 Pelham Parkway
Pelham, AL 35124

Bonus Opportunity!
We are also offering a $50.00 referral bonus. Both employee and referral must stay on assignment for 30 days to receive the payout.

About Automation Personnel Services
Automation Personnel Services is a highly recognized staffing agency with over 30 years of experience in manufacturing and light-industrial staffing. Our accolades include:
  • 11-time consecutive winner of the ClearlyRated® Best of Staffing Client Award (2016-2026).
  • Winner of the ClearlyRated® Best of Staffing Talent Award (2019-2026).
  • Recipient of the Safety Standard of Excellence Award by the American Staffing Association.
  • Named one of the Best Staffing Companies to Work For by CIO Views Magazine.
  • Named one of America’s Best Temp Staffing Firms by Forbes (2025).
  • Consistently ranked among the top U.S. staffing agencies by Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA).
Get that New Job Feeling! Apply Today!

Equal Opportunity Employer
APSPelham
 
 
Automation Personnel Services logo

About Automation Personnel Services

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Automation Personnel Services is an award-winning staffing agency with more than 30 years of experience in manufacturing and light-industrial staffing. Automation Personnel Services is the winner of the ClearlyRated® Best of Staffing Talent Award in 2019-2022, and the ClearlyRated® Best of Staffing Client Award for seven straight years, 2016-2022. Automation Personnel Services is also the recipient of the Safety Standard of Excellence Award by the American Staffing Association.

Industry

Recruiting and staffing services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Birmingham, AL, US

Year founded

1990

Social media

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