18 of the Highest Paying Cook Jobs in 2026

The best Cook jobs can pay up to $70,000 per year.

High Paying Cook Jobs

• Grinding Supervisor

  Salary range: $50,000 - $70,000

  The majority of Grinding Supervisor salaries across the United States currently range between $50,000 (25th percentile) and $70,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Grinding Supervisor job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Chief Cook

  Salary range: $56,500 - $56,500

  The majority of Chief Cook salaries across the United States currently range between $56,500 (25th percentile) and $56,500 (75th percentile) annually. Most people working in this role make similar salaries regardless of skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Chief Cook job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Camp Cook

  Salary range: $33,000 - $49,500

  A camp cook efficiently budgets, plans, and prepares large quantities of food for guests of a camp. In this career, you create a unique menu that takes special diets and dietary restrictions into consideration. Your responsibilities are also to monitor food inventory and prepare dishes that are within budget. As the camp cook, you hold a leadership role in the kitchen, meaning you manage kitchen staff, cooks, food preparation workers, and dishwashers. Additional duties include ensuring the kitchen and appliances are clean and organized, maintaining meal records, and following health department food-safety regulations.

• 3rd Cook

  Salary range: $34,000 - $42,000

  The majority of 3rd Cook salaries across the United States currently range between $34,000 (25th percentile) and $42,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the 3rd Cook job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Cook Helper

  Salary range: $32,000 - $41,000

  The majority of Cook Helper salaries across the United States currently range between $32,000 (25th percentile) and $41,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Cook Helper job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Apprentice Cook

  Salary range: $29,000 - $41,000

  The majority of Apprentice Cook salaries across the United States currently range between $29,000 (25th percentile) and $41,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Apprentice Cook job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• First Cook

  Salary range: $32,000 - $40,000

  A first cook works with the kitchen team throughout a breakfast, lunch, and dinner service. In this career, you provide food to diners and learn the fundamental elements of the culinary arts. Because you have experience in food service and working with a team, companies expect you to coordinate activity in the kitchen as part of your duties. Skills including hiring and training personnel, creating menus, and supporting the local food hygiene standard. A first cook must exhibit leadership abilities and have strong time management skills. Companies expect a you to create a culture of productivity and enthusiasm, and support upcoming leaders within the kitchen. Qualifications include a culinary degree and years of work experience.

• Relief Cook

  Salary range: $32,500 - $39,000

  The majority of Relief Cook salaries across the United States currently range between $32,500 (25th percentile) and $39,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Relief Cook job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Breakfast Cook

  Salary range: $29,000 - $38,000

  The responsibilities of a breakfast cook include cooking breakfast meals for customers at a restaurant or other food service business. In this career, you prepare each recipe on the menu while making customer-requested modifications as needed. Some businesses also allow for special orders and party trays which you may be responsible for portioning and assembling. Some positions require you to prep food and clean dishes and pots as well. Additional duties may include helping with other meals and special events such as banquets and buffets. There are many places a breakfast cook can find employment, such as restaurants, diners, hospitals, and hotels.

• Grill Cook

  Salary range: $28,500 - $36,500

  A grill cook, as one might imagine, cooks food on a grill. It is a back-of-house food service position generally found in restaurants, in which you work in the kitchen and may, in addition to your duties at the grill, also assist with kitchen preparation, ensuring all ingredients are prepped and stocked. Your primary responsibilities are to receive and cook food orders given by customers, keeping track of specific orders, cooking meat to specified rarity, and timing dishes to come out around the same time. Despite what the name might imply, a grill cook often works multiple areas in the kitchen, operating the grill, broiler, and oven.

• Cafeteria Cook

  Salary range: $30,000 - $36,500

  The majority of Cafeteria Cook salaries across the United States currently range between $30,000 (25th percentile) and $36,500 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Cafeteria Cook job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Food Service Cook

  Salary range: $28,000 - $36,500

  The majority of Food Service Cook salaries across the United States currently range between $28,000 (25th percentile) and $36,500 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Food Service Cook job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Pizza Cook

  Salary range: $26,000 - $36,000

  As a pizza cook, your primary responsibilities include baking pizzas and preparing related ingredients. Your duties involve preparing dough, making fresh sauce, chopping toppings such as meats and vegetables, and baking the pizzas. You are responsible for making both custom and standard pizzas as well as preparing appetizers and sides on the menu. You bake a variety of crust styles and may recommend new pizza types for the menu. You are in charge of monitoring food inventory, cleaning your cooking station, sterilizing equipment, and replacing supplies as needed.

• Assistant Cook

  Salary range: $30,000 - $36,000

  Assistant cooks support to the chef or head cook in the kitchen of a restaurant, catering company, or other food service facility. As an assistant cook, your job duties may include helping to plan the menu, testing new dishes, maintaining inventory, and buying or ordering the necessary ingredients for upcoming meal services. You may also perform cleaning duties around the kitchen to ensure that the food preparation area meets health code standards.

• Grill Prep Cook

  Salary range: $30,000 - $36,000

  The majority of Grill Prep Cook salaries across the United States currently range between $30,000 (25th percentile) and $36,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Grill Prep Cook job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Fry Cook

  Salary range: $25,000 - $34,000

  A fry cook operates the deep fryer cooking station for a restaurant. The deep fryer cooks food by submerging it in boiling oil until it is fully cooked. Dishes prepared in a deep fryer include fried chicken, french fries, and fish filets. As a fry cook, your job duties involve prepping the food for frying, watching the fryer to ensure the food does not overcook, and maintaining the deep fryer to ensure it is operating correctly and safely.

• Kitchen Worker

  Salary range: $23,500 - $34,000

  The majority of Kitchen Worker salaries across the United States currently range between $23,500 (25th percentile) and $34,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Kitchen Worker job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Restaurant Cook

  Salary range: $24,000 - $31,000

  The majority of Restaurant Cook salaries across the United States currently range between $24,000 (25th percentile) and $31,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Restaurant Cook job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.