Cooks, Restaurant

People in this career work in busy kitchen environments preparing soups, meats, vegetables, desserts, and other menu items. Their daily tasks involve handling and moving physical objects, performing general physical activities, and monitoring cooking processes to ensure food safety and quality. Depending on the restaurant, cooks may also plan menus, price items, order kitchen supplies, and keep records.

Success in this field requires strong realistic interests and practical skills such as time management, active listening, and coordination. Cooks must monitor food production closely and use critical thinking to solve problems in a fast-paced environment. Key knowledge areas include food production, customer service, and basic mathematics. Because kitchens are high-pressure environments, workers rely on work styles like dependability, stress tolerance, cooperation, and close attention to detail to collaborate effectively with supervisors and peers.

To enter this career, there is typically no formal educational credential required. Many people prepare for these roles with a high school diploma combined with some on-the-job training or previous kitchen experience. For those seeking structured training, college majors in culinary arts and related services provide a strong foundation.

While not always mandatory, cooks can earn professional certifications to demonstrate their skills. Available credentials include the Certified Culinarian and Certified Fundamentals Cook from the American Culinary Federation, the Certified Culinary Professional from the Foodservice Institute, and the Certified Kitchen Cook from the American Hotel and Lodging Association Educational Institute. Additionally, some states list a license for this work.

In 2025, the median annual pay for restaurant cooks was $37,390. Earnings can vary based on experience and establishment; the lowest 10% of earners make less than $28,700, while the highest 10% earn more than $47,900.

The field employs 1,409,890 people. Employment is projected to grow by 12.1% from 2025 to 2035, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth, combined with normal staff turnover, is expected to result in 218,600 job openings each year.