Pit Master
Austin, TX · On-site
$65K - $75K/yr
We are a Tex-Mex location specializing in scratch cooking, sizzling fajitas, cold margaritas, and ... pit master role. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: General: · Managing core menu ...
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Pit Master
Austin, TX · On-site
$65K - $75K/yr
We are a Tex-Mex location specializing in scratch cooking, sizzling fajitas, cold margaritas, and ... pit master role. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: General: · Managing core menu ...
Pit Cook information
See Austin, TX salary details
$8.82 - $10.01
2% of jobs
$10.01 - $11.20
4% of jobs
$11.20 - $12.39
9% of jobs
$13.58 is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$12.39 - $13.58
10% of jobs
$13.58 - $14.77
14% of jobs
The median wage is $15.57 / hr.
$14.77 - $15.96
16% of jobs
$15.96 - $17.16
15% of jobs
$17.59 is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$17.16 - $18.35
12% of jobs
$18.35 - $19.54
9% of jobs
$19.54 - $20.73
5% of jobs
$20.73 - $21.92
3% of jobs
$8
$15
$21
How much do pit cook jobs pay per hour?
As of Aug 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for pit cook in Austin, TX is $15.89, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.37 and $17.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.
What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a pit cook?
To thrive as a Pit Cook, you need hands-on experience with barbecue techniques, a solid understanding of food safety, and the ability to manage cooking temperatures and timing. Familiarity with commercial smokers, grills, thermometers, and proper meat handling practices is typically required. Attention to detail, stamina, teamwork, and a passion for delivering consistent quality set exceptional pit cooks apart. These skills and qualities are crucial for producing safe, flavorful food and maintaining operational efficiency in a high-demand kitchen environment.
What are the typical safety considerations and challenges faced by a pit cook when working with open flames and hot coals?
Pit Cooks regularly work with high temperatures, open flames, and heavy equipment, making safety a top priority. Common challenges include managing the risk of burns, smoke inhalation, and maintaining consistent cooking temperatures throughout long shifts. Proper protective gear, regular equipment checks, and adherence to fire safety protocols are essential. Team communication is also crucial, as Pit Cooks often coordinate with kitchen staff and servers to ensure food is safely and efficiently prepared and served.
What is a pit cook?
Pit cooks are culinary professionals who specialize in cooking food, particularly meat, using traditional pit barbecue methods. They prepare and cook food over an open fire or in a pit, often using wood or charcoal to impart a distinct smoky flavor. Pit cooks are responsible for managing the fire, monitoring cooking temperatures, seasoning meats, and ensuring that food is cooked to perfection. Their expertise is essential in barbecue restaurants and events that require authentic smoked or pit-cooked meals.
What is the difference between Pit Cook vs Line Cook?
| Aspect | Pit Cook | Line Cook |
|---|---|---|
| Credentials | None specific, experience preferred | Food Handler's Permit often required |
| Work Environment | Outdoor, smoky, large-scale BBQ settings | Indoor kitchen, fast-paced |
| Industry Usage | Barbecue restaurants, catering, festivals | Restaurants, hotels, dining establishments |
| Job Focus | Smoking and slow-cooking meats over pit fires | Preparing a variety of dishes on a line |
While both Pit Cooks and Line Cooks work in culinary settings, Pit Cooks specialize in smoking and slow-cooking meats outdoors, often in barbecue or festival environments. Line Cooks work indoors in fast-paced kitchens preparing a variety of dishes. The roles differ mainly in environment and specific skills, but both require culinary knowledge and food safety practices.
What are popular job titles related to Pit Cook jobs in Austin, TX? For Pit Cook jobs in Austin, TX, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Pit Cook jobs in Austin, TX look for? The top searched job categories for Pit Cook jobs in Austin, TX are:
$14.25 - $19/hr
Full-time
Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO
Re-posted 3 days ago
Job description
Southside Market & Barbeque seeks the right people for the right opportunities!
We are interested in adding folks to our team that are as authentic as our food.
The BBQ business isn't like fast food or a full-service restaurant. We consider ourselves quick service, cafeteria style. Our guests come in the front door and our greeted by out Ice Cream/ Market attendant. They go in through the corral and order at the counter with the Guest Service Rep. After, they slide down to the register and their food is ready by the time they pay!
We're in the people business, we just happen to serve good BBQ. We want to hire folks that value teamwork and have pride in the hard work we do. If you interview, we'll discuss the types of positions we have, what type of position you're looking for, growth and advancement opportunities! Even if we're fully staffed, we're always looking for new leaders that can thrive with Southside.
The Pit is the back bone of what we do. We look for skilled cooks with pride in what they make. If you've got the right cooking experience, even if it isn't BBQ but you want to learn, we want to teach. We are currently looking to add a Pit Cook to our team in Hutto, TX. The BBQ industry isn't your typical kitchen. We cook low and slow and by the book. We make consistent, premium, authentic Texas BBQ. As the oldest BBQ joint in the state, have a lot of pride in the food we serve.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Pit Production
Education and/or Experience
Food Handler Certificate required (or ability to obtain at hire).
Prior BBQ cooking experience preferred. OR professional cooking experience working with a variety of meat. Not fast food.
Comfortable working in a recipe driven cooking position.
Ability to read, write and speak fluently in English for all job related circumstances.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
While performing the duties of this job, he/she is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. He/she is regularly required to reach with hands and arms. He/she must often lift and/or move up to 80 pounds.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.
The ambient temperature of the pit area is significantly higher than the restaurant interior due to the proximity of the wood burning fires.
Perks
Full Time Benefits
We are interested in adding folks to our team that are as authentic as our food.
The BBQ business isn't like fast food or a full-service restaurant. We consider ourselves quick service, cafeteria style. Our guests come in the front door and our greeted by out Ice Cream/ Market attendant. They go in through the corral and order at the counter with the Guest Service Rep. After, they slide down to the register and their food is ready by the time they pay!
We're in the people business, we just happen to serve good BBQ. We want to hire folks that value teamwork and have pride in the hard work we do. If you interview, we'll discuss the types of positions we have, what type of position you're looking for, growth and advancement opportunities! Even if we're fully staffed, we're always looking for new leaders that can thrive with Southside.
The Pit is the back bone of what we do. We look for skilled cooks with pride in what they make. If you've got the right cooking experience, even if it isn't BBQ but you want to learn, we want to teach. We are currently looking to add a Pit Cook to our team in Hutto, TX. The BBQ industry isn't your typical kitchen. We cook low and slow and by the book. We make consistent, premium, authentic Texas BBQ. As the oldest BBQ joint in the state, have a lot of pride in the food we serve.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Pit Production
- Follow all recipe, safety and sanitation standards
- Regulate production according to business needs
- Build and maintain wood fires in pits
- Maintain cleanliness and organization of pit area
- Communicate with Line to keep product stocked
- Prepare and stock seasoned meat for production
- Perform other related duties, as required.
Education and/or Experience
Food Handler Certificate required (or ability to obtain at hire).
Prior BBQ cooking experience preferred. OR professional cooking experience working with a variety of meat. Not fast food.
Comfortable working in a recipe driven cooking position.
Ability to read, write and speak fluently in English for all job related circumstances.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
While performing the duties of this job, he/she is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. He/she is regularly required to reach with hands and arms. He/she must often lift and/or move up to 80 pounds.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.
The ambient temperature of the pit area is significantly higher than the restaurant interior due to the proximity of the wood burning fires.
Perks
Full Time Benefits
- Tuition Reimbursement Program- up to 100% paid college tuition
- 25% Employee Discount on Restaurant food purchases, 10% Discount on Market and Merchandise items
- Shift meal discount of $8.75 per day
- 401K - Southside Market & Barbeque will match the team member contributions 100% (dollar-for-dollar) on your Salary Deferrals up to 3% of compensation; plus, a 50% matching contribution on any additional Salary Deferrals above 3% up to 5% of compensation.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Employee Referral Bonus Program
- Focused Leadership Development Program
- Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Short- term and Long- term Disability
- 1 week Vacation pay/year - accrual starts on day 1
- 1 week Sick pay/year - accrual starts on day 1
- ALL COMPANY HOLIDAY Closures Paid - Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter - if normally scheduled for day it occurs on
- Full time set Schedules