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Navy Cook Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Commander, Navy Installations Command

MWR Cook

Seal Beach, CA · On-site +1

$19.74 - $21.39/hr

Performs a full range of simple cooking tasks by preparing and cooking items requiring little or no ... Commander, Navy Installations Command is a Drug-Free Federal Workplace. The use of illegal drugs ...

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Navy Cook information

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How much do navy cook jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for navy cook in California is $15.82, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.27 and $17.79 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a navy cook?

Navy Cooks, officially known as Culinary Specialists, are responsible for preparing and serving meals aboard Navy ships, submarines, and shore facilities. They plan menus, manage food supplies, and ensure that food is cooked safely and nutritiously for large crews. In addition to cooking, they maintain kitchen equipment, follow strict sanitation standards, and may also participate in special events or catering for high-ranking officials. Their work is essential for maintaining morale and the health of all personnel on board.

What is the difference between Navy Cook vs Navy Culinary Specialist?

AspectNavy CookNavy Culinary Specialist
CertificationsBasic food service training, food safetyAdvanced culinary training, food safety, sanitation
Work EnvironmentShip kitchens, naval basesShip kitchens, naval bases, field operations
Job DutiesPreparing meals, basic food prepMenu planning, food prep, kitchen management

The Navy Cook and Navy Culinary Specialist roles share similar environments and basic food safety certifications. However, Culinary Specialists typically have more advanced culinary training and take on additional responsibilities like menu planning and kitchen management. Both roles are essential for maintaining nutrition and morale aboard ships and bases, but Culinary Specialists often have broader skills and responsibilities.

What are some unique challenges navy cooks face while preparing meals at sea?

Navy Cooks often work in compact, moving environments where space and resources are limited, especially during deployments at sea. They must adapt to changing schedules, unpredictable weather conditions, and tight timeframes while maintaining high standards for food safety and nutrition. Teamwork is essential, as cooks coordinate closely with supply and logistics personnel to manage inventory and ensure that all sailors receive nutritious meals. Flexibility, resourcefulness, and strong communication skills are key to overcoming these challenges and supporting the morale and readiness of the crew.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a navy cook?

To thrive as a Navy Cook, you need basic culinary skills, knowledge of food safety, and completion of Navy culinary training or equivalent qualification. Familiarity with large-scale kitchen equipment, inventory systems, and military food preparation procedures is crucial. Strong teamwork, adaptability, and attention to detail help you excel in high-pressure, communal environments. These skills ensure meals are prepared safely and efficiently to sustain crew morale and mission readiness at sea.
What are popular job titles related to Navy Cook jobs in California? For Navy Cook jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Navy Cook jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Navy Cook jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Navy Cook jobs? Cities in California with the most Navy Cook job openings:
Navy Cook jobs near you
Infographic showing various Navy Cook job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $32,903 per year, or $15.8 per hour.

MWR Cook

Commander, Navy Installations Command

Seal Beach, CA • On-site, Remote

$19.74 - $21.39/hr

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago

Commander, Navy Installations Command rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

11th of 49 rated military and defense

Job description

Summary
This position is located in Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach. The primary purpose of this position is to provide skills and experience preparing food for in house facilities.
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Duties
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  • Performs a full range of simple cooking tasks by preparing and cooking items requiring little or no processing such as pancakes, sausage, eggs, hamburgers, and fresh or canned vegetables.
  • Prepares all forms of hot cereals; broils meats; prepares and cooks concentrated or dehydrated soups, sauces, and gravies; and makes cold sandwich fillings.
  • Prepares convenience items such as frozen hash browns, fish fillets, and chicken nuggets. May prepare and bake pizza. Prepares foods by peeling, chopping, grinding, paring, cutting, slicing, dicing, pureeing, dredging, flouring, and breading. Weighs, measures, an dispenses foods in accordance with portion controls. Mixes ingredients according to precisely written recipes.
  • Sets up and replenishes salad bar.
  • Covers, dates, and stores leftovers according to established procedures.
  • Cleans and maintains equipment and work areas.
  • Maintains accurate food inventories and rotates stock items to prevent spoilage.
  • Performs other related duties as required.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • Must successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. Any discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of employment.
  • Must meet federal suitability requirements including successful completion of background investigation.
  • Work requires continual standing and walking, and frequent stooping, reaching, pushing and pulling, and bending.
  • Frequently lifts or moves objects weighing up to 40pounds unassisted, and occasionally lifts or move objects weighing over 40 pounds with the assistance of lifting devices or other workers.
  • Kitchens are often warm and noisy. Exposed to steam, fumes, odors, danger of falling, burns, and cuts. Exposed to extremes in temperatures when entering walk in refrigerators from the warm kitchen.

Qualifications
  • Working knowledge of the methods and procedures relating to food preparation in small quantities, and the skill to apply such information to cook a limited variety of prepared foods.
  • Ability to read and understand written food service material such as food labels, standardized recipes, etc.
  • Ability to perform basic arithmetic computations in multiplying ingredients for a recipe and calculating how many servings.
  • Knowledge of the characteristics of various foods such as color, flavor, consistency, texture, and temperature and cooking time required.
  • Skill in planning, coordinating and timing sequence of steps required to have all menu items ready for serving at specified time.
  • Knowledge of sanitation principles.

Education
This is not in a positive education series.
Additional information
Executive Order 12564 requires a Federal workplace free of illegal drugs. According to the Executive Order, all Federal employees are required to remain drug free throughout their employment. Commander, Navy Installations Command is a Drug-Free Federal Workplace. The use of illegal drugs will not be tolerated, and use of or intoxication by illegal drugs will result in penalties up to and including removal from Federal Service.
Non-U.S. citizens with fewer than three years of recent residential history in the U.S. may be determined ineligible for employment.
Some positions have special requirements. Selectee may be required to complete a one (1) year probationary period. Participation in Direct Deposit/Electronic Fund Transfer within the first 30 days of employment is required.
In accordance with the Real ID Act of 2005, if a candidate or new hire requires access to a military installation and does not have a REAL ID, identity will need to be established. Identity is established by presenting either one (1) Acceptable Credential or by presenting an acceptable combination of Source Identify Documents. Acceptable Credentials are listed in List A and Acceptable Source Identity Documents are listed in Lists B and C in the link below (page 3). If using an Acceptable Credential, only one (1) from List A is required and if using Acceptable Source Identity Documents, one (1) from List B and one (1) from List C is required. https://www.oni.navy.mil/Portals/12/Vistors/Base%20Access%20Form.pdf?ver=2017-08-28-065204-693
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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