As of April 01, 2025, the average hourly pay of Line Cook in the United States is $16. While Salary.com is seeing that Line Cook salary in the US can go up to $19 or down to $14, but most earn between $15 and $18. Salary.com shows the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Line Cook in the United States.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $18 | $1 | $0 | $0 |
| Average | $16 | $1 | $0 | $0 |
| 25th Percentile | $15 | $1 | $0 | $0 |
As of April 01, 2025, Salary.com is seeing that an entry-level Line Cook with under 1 year experience makes about $33,349. With less than 2 years of experience, a mid-level Line Cook makes around $34,257. After 2-4 years, the Line Cook pay rises to about $34,755. Those senior Line Cook with 5-8 years of experience earn roughly $34,880, and those Line Cook having 8 years or more experience is expected to earn about $35,087 on average.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Line Cook | $33,349 |
| Intermediate Level Line Cook | $34,257 |
| Senior Level Line Cook | $34,755 |
| Specialist Level Line Cook | $34,880 |
| Expert Level Line Cook | $35,087 |
| Entry Level | 1% |
| Mid Level | 1% |
| Senior Level | 3% |
| Top Level | 3% |
| Experienced | 4% |
Salaries in the United States can vary significantly from state to state due to a multitude of factors, including cost of living, local economic conditions, and industry presence.
For example, as of April 01, 2025, the average yearly salary of Line Cook is $37,328 in California and in Massachusetts, the average annual salary goes to $36,830. While in New Jersey, a Line Cook earns $36,681 per year.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary significantly from city to city due to a multitude of factors, including cost of living, local economic conditions, and industry presence.
For example, as of April 01, 2025, the average yearly salary of Line Cook in San Francisco, CA is $42,265 and in New York, NY, the average annual salary goes to $39,219. While a Line Cook earns $37,744 per year in Boston, MA.
For those exploring the changing dynamics of Line Cook salaries, Salary.com offers detailed insights through our Job Trending in CA Labor Market analysis. As of April 01, 2025, our research highlights a notable shift in Line Cook compensation over the past six years. For instance, the median salary has moved from $33,155 in 2023 to about $33,018 in 2024 (for a comprehensive analysis of Line Cook salary trends, click here). It's crucial to consider several elements, including geographical location, experience level, industry demand, and economic development, as they play a significant role in influencing salary variations.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Line Cook information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Line Cook job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Line Cook and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $33,842 | 64.0% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $2,589 | 4.9% | ||
| 401K/403B | $1,421 | 2.7% | ||
| Disability | $677 | 1.3% | ||
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 15.8% | ||
| Pension | $1,827 | 3.5% | ||
| Time Off | $4,165 | 7.9% | ||
| Total Compensation | $52,874 | 100% | ||
Prepares menu dishes following established recipes and using designated ingredients that meet production and quality standards as part of a cooking line. Follows all portion and presentation specifications and proper preparation methods. Sets up and stocks workstation with all necessary supplies. Coordinates with other line cooks to ensure meals are delivered consistently and on time. Responsible for operating and maintaining a single workstation. May prepare sauces or garnishes. Follows all applicable guidelines and regulations for food handling and safety. Typically requires a high school diploma. Typically reports to a sous chef or executive chef. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. May require 0-1 year of general work experience.
