Cooks, All Other

These kitchen workers handle a variety of food preparation tasks that fall outside of standard cooking categories. Daily duties depend heavily on the specific dining environment, which can range from preparing specialized street food at a falafel cart to managing meals as a fraternity house cook or working as an assistant cook in a larger kitchen.

Success in this role requires a strong focus on food safety, cooperation with other kitchen staff, and dependability. Workers must be able to follow recipes, maintain clean work areas, and manage their time effectively to ensure meals are served promptly. This work is highly hands-on and suits individuals who enjoy practical, realistic tasks and active, physical work environments.

Entering this field typically requires no formal educational credentials. Many workers learn their skills directly on the job through practical experience. For those who want to build a structured foundation in food preparation, studying culinary arts and related services is a common educational path.

While formal degrees are not standard, some states do list licensing requirements for this type of food service work. Prospective cooks should check the local regulations in their area regarding health and safety permits.

The median annual wage for these cooks is $37,690. Earnings can vary based on experience and the specific employer, with the lowest 10% of workers earning less than $27,040 and the highest 10% earning more than $51,140.

There are 19,350 people employed in this occupation. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to grow by 5.2%, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This growth, combined with normal staff turnover, is expected to result in approximately 2,800 job openings each year.