Amtrak
Amtrak

5 Amtrak Chef Jobs Hiring Near You

By living the Amtrak values, focusing on our capabilities, and actively embracing and fostering ... The Chef/Line Cook must have the ability to offer our passengers a wide variety of full-course ...

Amtrak Jobs Information

What is it like to work at Amtrak?

Amtrak operates with a customer-centric culture, prioritizing safety, reliability, and customer satisfaction in its daily operations. As a national passenger railroad service, Amtrak's workforce is comprised of various teams, including engineers, conductors, maintenance personnel, and customer service representatives, working together to ensure smooth train operations and excellent customer experiences. Working at Amtrak may appeal to individuals who value a dynamic work environment, opportunities for career advancement, and the chance to contribute to the nation's transportation infrastructure.

Do workers at Amtrak get paid breaks?

Yes. Most people get paid breaks.
94% of people say they get paid breaks.
Based on data from 52 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between July 2025 and June 2026.

Does Amtrak pay people when they’re sick?

Sometimes. Only some people get paid when they’re sick.
63% of people say they wouldn’t get paid if they were sick but scheduled to work.
Based on data from 62 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between July 2025 and June 2026.

At Amtrak, are sick days and vacation days separate paid time off?

Only some people have separate paid time off for sick days and vacation.
47% of people say they have to use vacation days when they’re out sick.
Based on data from 62 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between June 2025 and June 2026.

Is the health insurance from Amtrak affordable enough for their workers?

Most people say the health insurance costs are okay.
100% of people say the health insurance costs are okay
Based on data from 64 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between July 2025 and June 2026.

Do people get paid time off at Amtrak?

Most people get paid time off work.
84% of people say they get paid time off.
Based on data from 67 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between July 2025 and June 2026.

How far ahead of time do people find out their work schedule?

Most people find out their schedule less than four weeks ahead of time.
  • 58% of people with changing schedules find out their shifts one week or less ahead of time.
  • 14% of people with changing schedules find out their shifts two weeks ahead of time.
  • 2% of people with changing schedules find out their shifts three weeks ahead of time.
  • 26% of people with changing schedules find out their shifts four weeks or more ahead of time.

Based on data from 43 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and April 2026.

Do workers at Amtrak worry about hours?

Most people don’t worry about getting enough hours.
88% of people report they don’t worry about getting enough hours.
Based on data from 60 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2025 and April 2026.

Do Amtrak workers get to choose the shifts they work?

Some people don’t get to choose which shifts they work.
64% report that they don’t have enough control over which shifts they work.
Based on data from 50 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2025 and April 2026.

How easy is it for Amtrak workers to change shifts?

Most people find it hard to change shifts.
79% of people report that it’s hard to change shifts if they need to.
Based on data from 42 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2025 and March 2026.

How easy is it to get time off at Amtrak?

Most people find it easy to get time off.
83% of people report it’s easy to get time off.
Based on data from 63 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between July 2025 and June 2026.

Do Amtrak managers change schedules at the last minute?

Most managers don’t change people’s schedules at the last minute.
84% of people say their manager doesn’t change their shift schedule at the last minute.
Based on data from 61 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2025 and April 2026.

Do jobs at Amtrak spill into time workers aren’t paid for?

Rarely. The job doesn't usually spill into unpaid time.
15% of people report that their job takes up time that they don’t get paid for.
Based on data from 59 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2025 and April 2026.

How easy is it to take sick days at Amtrak?

Most people find it easy to take sick days.
72% of people report that it’s easy to take time off if they are sick.
Based on data from 61 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between July 2025 and June 2026.

Is working at Amtrak good if you’re a parent or caregiver?

Most parents and caregivers say this is a good place to work.
73% of people who care for a child or other relative report this is a good place to work.
Based on data from 33 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2025 and April 2026.

Do people at Amtrak feel treated with respect by their managers?

Most people feel treated with respect by their managers.
82% of people say they’re treated with respect by their managers.
Based on data from 61 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between July 2025 and June 2026.

Do people at Amtrak get to take their breaks without interruption?

Most people get breaks without interruption.
67% of people report that they get to take their breaks without interruption.
Based on data from 51 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between July 2025 and June 2026.

Is it stressful to work at Amtrak?

Some people feel stressed out here.
41% of people say they often feel stressed out at work.
Based on data from 64 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between July 2025 and June 2026.

Do people at Amtrak enjoy their jobs?

Most people enjoy their job.
89% of people report they enjoy their job.
Based on data from 56 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between July 2025 and June 2026.

Do people at Amtrak recommend working with their team?

Most people recommend working with their team.
73% of people report that they would recommend working with their immediate team to a friend.
Based on data from 67 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between July 2025 and June 2026.

Do people get enough training when they start at Amtrak?

Most people got enough training when they started.
83% of people report they got enough training when they started working here.
Based on data from 65 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between July 2025 and June 2026.

Do people get support to advance at Amtrak?

Most people are given support to advance their career here.
In the last year, 76% of people report being given support to advance their career here.
Based on data from 63 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between July 2025 and June 2026.

Do people think Amtrak’s headquarters understands what’s happening where they work?

Most people think headquarters doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work.
84% of people think that this employer’s headquarters or owners don’t have a good understanding of what’s really happening where they work.
Based on data from 61 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between July 2025 and June 2026.

Do workers feel well informed about how Amtrak is doing?

Only some people feel well informed about how the company is doing.
40% of people feel that they aren’t kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole.
Based on data from 57 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between July 2025 and June 2026.
Infographic showing various Chef job openings at Amtrak in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 90% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution.
Chef - 90336008 - Los Angeles

Chef - 90336008 - Los Angeles

Amtrak

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$29.27/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 14 days ago


Amtrak rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 143 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

22nd of 76 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

COMMUNICATIONS AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS: 
Must have excellent written and oral communication skills.

The rate of pay is $21 per hour during classroom training (3 weeks), $29.27/hr after classroom training (with opportunity for increases, as per the applicable collective bargaining agreement, after beginning employment). 

Health and Wellbeing Financial and Retirement Work and Family Life Support Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance 401K  Rail Pass Privileges Wellness Programs Railroad Retirement Benefits Employee Assistance Program Medical Plan Opt-out Credit Life Insurance Commuter and Flexible Spending Accounts No-cost Personal Health Advocate No-cost Financial Advisor Session Fertility and Family Building Benefits

Some benefits are subject to the collective bargaining agreement. Learn more about our benefits offerings here.

Requisition ID:166701
Posting Location(s):California

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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Amtrak logo

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