Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Cooks typically learn their skills through on-the-job training and related work experience. Although no formal education is required, some cooks attend culinary school. PayThe median hourly wage for cooks was $17.62 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of cooks is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 393,200 openings for cooks are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for cooks. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of cooks with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about cooks by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
The median hourly wage for cooks was $17.62 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of cooks is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 393,200 openings for cooks are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for cooks. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of cooks with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about cooks by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of cooks is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 393,200 openings for cooks are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for cooks. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of cooks with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about cooks by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Cooks season and prepare foods, including soups, salads, entrees, and desserts.
Work Environment
Cooks work in restaurants, schools, hospitals, private households, and other places where food is prepared and served. Their work hours may include early mornings, late evenings, holidays, and weekends. Most cooks work full time, although part-time work is common.
How to Become a Cook
Cooks typically learn their skills through on-the-job training and related work experience. Although no formal education is required, some cooks attend culinary school.
Pay
The median hourly wage for cooks was $17.62 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of cooks is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 393,200 openings for cooks are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for cooks.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of cooks with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about cooks by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Cooks work in restaurants, schools, hospitals, private households, and other places where food is prepared and served. Their work hours may include early mornings, late evenings, holidays, and weekends. Most cooks work full time, although part-time work is common.
How to Become a Cook
Cooks typically learn their skills through on-the-job training and related work experience. Although no formal education is required, some cooks attend culinary school.
Pay
The median hourly wage for cooks was $17.62 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of cooks is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 393,200 openings for cooks are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for cooks.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of cooks with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about cooks by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for cooks.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of cooks with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about cooks by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about cooks by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Explore Training Options
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.