Cooks, Restaurant

Median salary, education path, job outlook, and related careers — based on U.S. labor data.

What a Cooks, Restaurant does

Prepare and cook a variety of dishes in restaurant kitchens, following recipes and plating standards while managing food quality and kitchen operations. Require culinary skills, speed, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Education & path

The typical entry point is a high school diploma. No degree required — short-term training or on-the-job learning.

Estimated cost of that path: No degree cost. Estimates only — actual cost varies widely by school and financial aid; payback assumes ~20% of income applied.

Related careers

• Fast Food and Counter Workers — $31,200/yr
• Baristas — $31,200/yr
• Waiters and Waitresses — $35,230/yr
• First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $44,080/yr
• Food Preparation Workers — $35,320/yr