1

Cooking Helper Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Cook

Wilsonville, OR

$14.50 - $19.50/hr

Cooking, creating, and packaging delicious menu itemsTrying to beat your best record, every ... help motivateMaintaining SONIC safety and sanitation standards

Cook

Cornelius, OR

$14.50 - $19.50/hr

Cooking, creating, and packaging delicious menu itemsTrying to beat your best record, every ... help motivateMaintaining SONIC safety and sanitation standards

Cook

Tigard, OR

$14.75 - $19.75/hr

Cooking, creating, and packaging delicious menu itemsTrying to beat your best record, every ... help motivateMaintaining SONIC safety and sanitation standards

Cook

Vancouver, WA

$15 - $20/hr

Cooking, creating, and packaging delicious menu itemsTrying to beat your best record, every ... help motivateMaintaining SONIC safety and sanitation standards

Cook

Hillsboro, OR

$15.25 - $20.50/hr

Cooking, creating, and packaging delicious menu itemsTrying to beat your best record, every ... help motivateMaintaining SONIC safety and sanitation standards

Cook

Cornelius, OR · On-site

$14.50 - $19.50/hr

... • Cooking, creating, and packaging delicious menu items • Trying to beat your best record ... help motivate • Maintaining SONIC safety and sanitation standards Requirements: SONIC Drive-In ...

Cook

Hillsboro, OR · On-site

$15.25 - $20.50/hr

... • Cooking, creating, and packaging delicious menu items • Trying to beat your best record ... help motivate • Maintaining SONIC safety and sanitation standards Requirements: SONIC Drive-In ...

Cook

Tigard, OR · On-site

$14.75 - $19.75/hr

... • Cooking, creating, and packaging delicious menu items • Trying to beat your best record ... help motivate • Maintaining SONIC safety and sanitation standards Requirements: SONIC Drive-In ...

Cook

Wilsonville, OR · On-site

$14.50 - $19.50/hr

... • Cooking, creating, and packaging delicious menu items • Trying to beat your best record ... help motivate • Maintaining SONIC safety and sanitation standards Requirements: SONIC Drive-In ...

Cook

Lake Oswego, OR · On-site

$14.50 - $19.25/hr

RESPONSIBILITIES OF A COOK Under the direction of the Dining Services Director, the Cook ensures the dining room and kitchen operate efficiently with the help of Dining Room Attendants. Some of the ...

Cook

Lake Oswego, OR

$14.50 - $19.25/hr

RESPONSIBILITIES OF A COOK Under the direction of the Dining Services Director, the Cook ensures the dining room and kitchen operate efficiently with the help of Dining Room Attendants. Some of the ...

Cook OR

Sherwood, OR · On-site

$15 - $20.25/hr

... help prepare meals as per our company standards recipes. A successful candidate will be responsible for creating meal portions, cleaning food, cooking meals and keeping sanitized work area. We are ...

Cook OR

Wood Village, OR · On-site

$14.75 - $19.75/hr

... help prepare meals as per our company standards recipes. A successful candidate will be responsible for creating meal portions, cleaning food, cooking meals and keeping sanitized work area. We are ...

Cook OR

Wilsonville, OR

$14.50 - $19.50/hr

... help prepare meals as per our company standards recipes. A successful candidate will be responsible for creating meal portions, cleaning food, cooking meals and keeping sanitized work area. We are ...

Cook OR

Hillsboro, OR

$15.25 - $20.50/hr

... help prepare meals as per our company standards recipes. A successful candidate will be responsible for creating meal portions, cleaning food, cooking meals and keeping sanitized work area. We are ...

Cook OR

Oregon City, OR

$15 - $20/hr

... help prepare meals as per our company standards recipes. A successful candidate will be responsible for creating meal portions, cleaning food, cooking meals and keeping sanitized work area. We are ...

Cook OR

Portland, OR

$14.50 - $19.25/hr

... help prepare meals as per our company standards recipes. A successful candidate will be responsible for creating meal portions, cleaning food, cooking meals and keeping sanitized work area. We are ...

Cook OR

Portland, OR · On-site

$14.25 - $19.25/hr

... help prepare meals as per our company standards recipes. A successful candidate will be responsible for creating meal portions, cleaning food, cooking meals and keeping sanitized work area. We are ...

Cook / prep cook

Vancouver, WA · On-site

$17 - $20/hr

... cooking food The ideal candidate will: * Have the ability to develop positive working relationships with all restaurant employees and work as part of a family / team by helping others as needed or ...

Cook / prep cook

Vancouver, WA · On-site

$17 - $20/hr

... cooking food The ideal candidate will: * Have the ability to develop positive working relationships with all restaurant employees and work as part of a family / team by helping others as needed or ...

Showing results 41-60

Cooking Helper information

See Portland, OR salary details

$9

$16

$20

How much do cooking helper jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for cooking helper in Portland, OR is $16.15, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.81 and $17.07 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a cooking helper?

Cooking Helpers are kitchen staff who assist chefs and cooks by performing basic food preparation tasks, such as washing, peeling, and chopping ingredients, as well as maintaining cleanliness in the kitchen. They often help with setting up workstations, measuring ingredients, and ensuring that all necessary items are available for meal preparation. Cooking Helpers play a vital role in keeping kitchen operations efficient and organized, supporting the culinary team in delivering quality meals.

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

To thrive as a Cooking Helper, you need basic food preparation skills, knowledge of kitchen safety, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with kitchen equipment, food handling certifications, and basic inventory systems are commonly required. Dependability, attention to detail, and the ability to work efficiently in a team are valuable soft skills. These skills are important to ensure food is prepared safely and efficiently, supporting kitchen operations and maintaining high standards of hygiene.

What are some common challenges faced by cooking helpers in a busy kitchen, and how can they overcome them?

Cooking Helpers often work in fast-paced environments where multitasking and attention to detail are crucial. Common challenges include managing time efficiently, maintaining cleanliness while juggling multiple prep tasks, and communicating clearly with chefs and other team members. To overcome these challenges, it's important to stay organized, ask for clarification when needed, and prioritize tasks based on kitchen needs. Building strong teamwork skills and being adaptable to sudden changes in orders or kitchen workflow will help you succeed and grow in this role.

What is the difference between Cooking Helper vs Kitchen Assistant?

AspectCooking HelperKitchen Assistant
Required CredentialsNone typically required, on-the-job training commonNone typically required, on-the-job training common
Work EnvironmentCommercial kitchens, restaurants, catering servicesCommercial kitchens, restaurants, catering services
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly used in hospitality and food service industriesCommonly used in hospitality and food service industries
Job ResponsibilitiesAssisting with food prep, cleaning, basic cooking tasksSupporting kitchen staff, cleaning, prep work

Both Cooking Helpers and Kitchen Assistants work in similar environments and perform supportive roles in food service. While their responsibilities often overlap, Cooking Helpers typically focus more on assisting with food preparation and basic cooking tasks, whereas Kitchen Assistants may have broader support duties, including cleaning and equipment maintenance. Both roles are entry-level and require minimal formal credentials, making them accessible entry points into the culinary industry.

What are the most commonly searched types of Cooking jobs in Portland, OR?

The most popular types of Cooking jobs in Portland, OR are:

What are popular job titles related to Cooking Helper jobs in Portland, OR?

For Cooking Helper jobs in Portland, OR, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Cooking Helper jobs in Portland, OR look for?

The top searched job categories for Cooking Helper jobs in Portland, OR are:

Infographic showing various Cooking Helper job openings in Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 71% Full Time, and 29% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $33,587 per year, or $16.1 per hour.

$14.50 - $19.50/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 23 days ago


Sonic Drive-In rating

4.7

Company rating: 4.7 out of 10

Based on 1,629 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

80th of 106 rated fast food restaurants


Job description

As a SONIC Drive-In Cook, your primary responsibility is to provide every guest with a SuperSONIC experience by:Cooking, creating, and packaging delicious menu itemsTrying to beat your best record, every timeBeing proactive (If you're not busy now, you may be in 5 minutes!)Continuously communicating with team to help motivateMaintaining SONIC safety and sanitation standards


What Sonic Drive-In employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom