Line cook salary
BLS occupation: Cooks, Restaurant · also called restaurant cook · Food service · data for May 2025
Median salary $37,390 a year, US
Median hourly pay $17.98 an hour
Middle half earn $34,010–$44,620 25th to 75th percentile
Line cooks employed 1,409,890 +12.1% projected by 2035
How much does a line cook make?
- The median line cook salary in the US is $37,390 a year ($17.98 an hour): half of the 1,409,890 line cooks BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $38,730.
- The middle half earn between $34,010 and $44,620. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $28,700 and the top 10% more than $47,900.
- That is 27% less than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- Washington pays line cooks the most (median $46,800), followed by the District of Columbia ($46,130) and Massachusetts ($45,600). Louisiana pays the least ($29,050).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in Maine, where the median is worth $46,667 in typical US prices, then Vermont and Washington. Washington's higher pay is offset by its prices (107.0 vs a US average of 100).
- In 0 of the 381 metro areas with data, the median line cook salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of line cooks to grow 12.1% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 218,600 openings a year. The typical entry education is no formal educational credential.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what line cooks are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Line cook salary range
Half of line cooks earn between $34,010 and $44,620 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $28,700
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $34,010
Median Yearly pay: $37,390
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $44,620
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $47,900
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $28,700 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $34,010 |
| Median | $37,390 |
| Top 25% earn over | $44,620 |
| Top 10% earn over | $47,900 |
Line cook salary by state
Washington pays line cooks the most; Louisiana the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($37,390), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Washington | $46,800 median |
| District of Columbia | $46,130 median |
| Massachusetts | $45,600 median |
| Hawaii | $45,420 median |
| Vermont | $45,390 median |
| Maine | $45,290 median |
| California | $44,880 median |
| New York | $43,680 median |
| Oregon | $43,100 median |
| Colorado | $41,600 median |
| New Hampshire | $40,200 median |
| Alaska | $40,140 median |
| Connecticut | $39,480 median |
| Arizona | $38,670 median |
| Nevada | $38,610 median |
| Minnesota | $38,590 median |
| New Jersey | $38,460 median |
| Montana | $38,060 median |
| Delaware | $37,840 median |
| Maryland | $37,820 median |
| Illinois | $37,580 median |
| Nebraska | $37,030 median |
| Florida | $37,020 median |
| Michigan | $36,980 median |
| Missouri | $36,940 median |
| Wyoming | $36,830 median |
| Virginia | $36,750 median |
| Pennsylvania | $36,580 median |
| Wisconsin | $36,550 median |
| Rhode Island | $36,510 median |
| Utah | $36,490 median |
| North Dakota | $36,470 median |
| Idaho | $36,440 median |
| Tennessee | $36,420 median |
| South Dakota | $36,220 median |
| Georgia | $35,940 median |
| South Carolina | $35,740 median |
| Iowa | $35,670 median |
| Ohio | $35,540 median |
| North Carolina | $35,400 median |
| Indiana | $35,170 median |
| Kansas | $35,130 median |
| New Mexico | $35,020 median |
| Texas | $34,760 median |
| Kentucky | $34,640 median |
| Alabama | $32,180 median |
| Oklahoma | $31,720 median |
| Arkansas | $30,180 median |
| West Virginia | $29,590 median |
| Mississippi | $29,560 median |
| Louisiana | $29,050 median |
Where line cook pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Line cooks' pay goes furthest in Maine once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| Maine | $46,667 |
| Vermont | $46,336 |
| Washington | $43,733 |
| Massachusetts | $43,118 |
| District of Columbia | $41,974 |
| Oregon | $41,699 |
| Hawaii | $41,309 |
| Nebraska | $41,097 |
| North Dakota | $40,996 |
| South Dakota | $40,887 |
Line cook pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $46,800 | $22.50 | $37,940 | $57,910 | 35,140 | $43,733 |
| District of Columbia | $46,130 | $22.18 | $36,440 | $53,020 | 7,720 | $41,974 |
| Massachusetts | $45,600 | $21.92 | $36,540 | $58,590 | 29,570 | $43,118 |
| Hawaii | $45,420 | $21.84 | $35,740 | $65,320 | 11,090 | $41,309 |
| Vermont | $45,390 | $21.82 | $31,210 | $56,180 | 2,360 | $46,336 |
| Maine | $45,290 | $21.77 | $38,040 | $49,530 | 5,130 | $46,667 |
| California | $44,880 | $21.58 | $37,100 | $55,580 | 152,250 | $40,535 |
| New York | $43,680 | $21.00 | $34,490 | $54,240 | 71,530 | $40,474 |
| Oregon | $43,100 | $20.72 | $36,080 | $58,280 | 21,550 | $41,699 |
| Colorado | $41,600 | $20.00 | $34,590 | $49,650 | 30,600 | $40,368 |
| New Hampshire | $40,200 | $19.33 | $34,390 | $49,400 | 7,190 | $38,593 |
| Alaska | $40,140 | $19.30 | $36,230 | $46,800 | 2,350 | $39,215 |
| Connecticut | $39,480 | $18.98 | $35,460 | $49,420 | 14,830 | $38,104 |
| Arizona | $38,670 | $18.59 | $33,250 | $46,240 | 30,870 | $38,410 |
| Nevada | $38,610 | $18.56 | $30,300 | $56,540 | 27,250 | $38,618 |
| Minnesota | $38,590 | $18.55 | $31,280 | $47,850 | 26,080 | $39,130 |
| New Jersey | $38,460 | $18.49 | $32,220 | $50,010 | 28,800 | $35,348 |
| Montana | $38,060 | $18.30 | $29,380 | $47,670 | 7,580 | $40,213 |
| Delaware | $37,840 | $18.19 | $31,250 | $46,940 | 5,280 | $37,913 |
| Maryland | $37,820 | $18.18 | $35,030 | $47,840 | 17,690 | $36,033 |
| Illinois | $37,580 | $18.07 | $31,200 | $46,460 | 53,540 | $37,596 |
| Nebraska | $37,030 | $17.80 | $28,680 | $44,880 | 4,750 | $41,097 |
| Florida | $37,020 | $17.80 | $29,710 | $46,450 | 124,040 | $35,798 |
| Michigan | $36,980 | $17.78 | $29,570 | $46,030 | 39,100 | $38,434 |
| Missouri | $36,940 | $17.76 | $28,890 | $46,970 | 25,990 | $40,675 |
| Wyoming | $36,830 | $17.71 | $27,850 | $52,530 | 2,710 | $39,734 |
| Virginia | $36,750 | $17.67 | $29,340 | $45,740 | 40,310 | $36,349 |
| Pennsylvania | $36,580 | $17.59 | $22,650 | $45,120 | 54,100 | $37,490 |
| Wisconsin | $36,550 | $17.57 | $28,010 | $46,270 | 25,410 | $38,844 |
| Rhode Island | $36,510 | $17.55 | $31,840 | $49,450 | 6,950 | $35,696 |
| Utah | $36,490 | $17.54 | $28,800 | $46,580 | 10,520 | $36,909 |
| North Dakota | $36,470 | $17.53 | $28,850 | $45,650 | 4,490 | $40,996 |
| Idaho | $36,440 | $17.52 | $25,470 | $47,020 | 8,130 | $38,159 |
| Tennessee | $36,420 | $17.51 | $27,910 | $45,650 | 28,220 | $39,643 |
| South Dakota | $36,220 | $17.41 | $30,140 | $44,990 | 1,890 | $40,887 |
| Georgia | $35,940 | $17.28 | $24,160 | $43,210 | 46,350 | $37,324 |
| South Carolina | $35,740 | $17.18 | $26,200 | $45,680 | 25,890 | $38,123 |
| Iowa | $35,670 | $17.15 | $28,690 | $44,460 | 12,270 | $40,644 |
| Ohio | $35,540 | $17.09 | $27,590 | $44,940 | 46,910 | $38,308 |
| North Carolina | $35,400 | $17.02 | $27,980 | $45,450 | 50,150 | $37,529 |
| Indiana | $35,170 | $16.91 | $26,000 | $44,190 | 26,960 | $37,684 |
| Kansas | $35,130 | $16.89 | $26,120 | $44,540 | 11,620 | $39,004 |
| New Mexico | $35,020 | $16.84 | $28,100 | $43,400 | 7,810 | $37,978 |
| Texas | $34,760 | $16.71 | $23,330 | $42,810 | 126,620 | $35,814 |
| Kentucky | $34,640 | $16.65 | $24,750 | $43,750 | 13,510 | $38,421 |
| Alabama | $32,180 | $15.47 | $24,170 | $39,220 | 16,260 | $36,229 |
| Oklahoma | $31,720 | $15.25 | $22,850 | $44,170 | 17,050 | $36,110 |
| Arkansas | $30,180 | $14.51 | $26,020 | $37,140 | 11,270 | $34,715 |
| West Virginia | $29,590 | $14.23 | $22,180 | $38,010 | 6,450 | $33,063 |
| Mississippi | $29,560 | $14.21 | $22,010 | $36,880 | 10,770 | $33,995 |
| Louisiana | $29,050 | $13.97 | $21,970 | $39,540 | 14,910 | $32,934 |
After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Line cook salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes line cook pay: 385 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- Kahului, HI $49,560
- Seattle, WA $47,730
- Napa, CA $47,320
- San Jose, CA $47,170
- Barnstable, MA $46,930
- Portland, ME $46,560
- Bremerton, WA $46,460
- Mount Vernon, WA $46,450
- San Diego, CA $46,440
- San Francisco, CA $46,030
Where the pay goes furthest
- Barnstable, MA $47,717
- Lewiston, ME $46,983
- Yakima, WA $46,460
- Pittsfield, MA $46,233
- Longview, WA $46,112
- Portland, ME $45,711
- Mount Vernon, WA $45,342
- Kahului, HI $45,305
- Kennewick, WA $45,244
- Burlington, VT $44,963
All 385 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kahului, HI | $49,560 | 1,770 | $45,305 | 78% |
| Seattle, WA | $47,730 | 20,850 | $42,949 | 57% |
| Napa, CA | $47,320 | 1,270 | $42,042 | 74% |
| San Jose, CA | $47,170 | 8,900 | $42,718 | 97% |
| Barnstable, MA | $46,930 | 1,760 | $47,717 | 66% |
| Portland, ME | $46,560 | 2,730 | $45,711 | 59% |
| Bremerton, WA | $46,460 | 1,090 | $43,993 | 53% |
| Mount Vernon, WA | $46,450 | 590 | $45,342 | 56% |
| San Diego, CA | $46,440 | 15,670 | $41,506 | 77% |
| San Francisco, CA | $46,030 | 20,540 | $39,814 | 90% |
| Boston, MA | $45,830 | 22,900 | $42,331 | 78% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $45,720 | 2,340 | $42,418 | 70% |
| Burlington, VT | $45,390 | 950 | $44,963 | 69% |
| Bellingham, WA | $45,370 | 1,090 | $43,906 | 52% |
| Kennewick, WA | $45,280 | 1,150 | $45,244 | 45% |
| Portland, OR | $45,200 | 13,020 | $42,876 | 48% |
| Longview, WA | $44,980 | 310 | $46,112 | 38% |
| Olympia, WA | $44,960 | 1,090 | $43,368 | 55% |
| Salinas, CA | $44,930 | 1,910 | $41,204 | 74% |
| Amherst-Northampton, MA | $44,680 | 540 | $44,572 | – |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $44,560 | 1,020 | $40,547 | 93% |
| Wenatchee, WA | $44,550 | 780 | $42,896 | 47% |
| Bend, OR | $44,540 | 1,530 | $42,989 | 60% |
| Lewiston, ME | $44,510 | 250 | $46,983 | 43% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $44,460 | 54,320 | $39,149 | 79% |
| Yakima, WA | $44,390 | 680 | $46,460 | 37% |
| Denver, CO | $44,370 | 15,410 | $41,945 | 51% |
| Worcester, MA | $44,250 | 2,490 | $43,161 | 57% |
| Sacramento, CA | $44,230 | 9,240 | $41,464 | 62% |
| Spokane, WA | $44,230 | 2,490 | $44,077 | 41% |
| Vallejo, CA | $44,100 | 1,020 | $40,653 | 67% |
| Walla Walla, WA | $44,050 | 260 | $44,712 | 40% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $44,000 | 2,200 | $40,211 | 62% |
| Pittsfield, MA | $43,970 | 630 | $46,233 | 48% |
| New York, NY | $43,740 | 69,250 | $38,858 | 97% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $43,400 | 3,970 | $40,612 | 80% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $43,340 | 2,300 | $39,835 | 91% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $43,220 | 1,640 | $39,799 | 78% |
| Kingston, NY | $43,150 | 750 | $42,846 | 56% |
| Washington, DC | $42,920 | 29,670 | $39,418 | 67% |
| Riverside, CA | $42,450 | 14,280 | $39,881 | 72% |
| Honolulu, HI | $42,450 | 6,960 | $38,257 | 85% |
| Bozeman, MT | $42,430 | 1,370 | $41,391 | 62% |
| Boulder, CO | $42,220 | 2,190 | $40,132 | 62% |
| Oxnard, CA | $42,060 | 3,000 | $38,052 | 84% |
| Modesto, CA | $41,910 | 1,300 | $40,256 | 59% |
| Naples, FL | $41,220 | 3,650 | $39,942 | 76% |
| Stockton, CA | $41,170 | 1,560 | $39,176 | 71% |
| Bangor, ME | $40,760 | 510 | $42,235 | 45% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $40,250 | 3,370 | $40,715 | 61% |
| Fairbanks, AK | $40,150 | 280 | $38,902 | 55% |
| Anchorage, AK | $40,140 | 1,340 | $38,076 | 57% |
| Springfield, MA | $39,970 | 1,410 | $41,609 | 59% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $39,640 | 17,760 | $37,816 | 53% |
| Albany, NY | $39,610 | 3,100 | $39,783 | 51% |
| Ithaca, NY | $39,280 | 350 | $38,019 | 61% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $39,170 | 21,780 | $37,913 | 53% |
| Salem, OR | $39,170 | 1,610 | $37,791 | 50% |
| Yuba City, CA | $39,160 | 400 | $37,570 | 62% |
| Hartford, CT | $39,150 | 4,900 | $38,104 | 61% |
| Grants Pass, OR | $39,110 | 280 | $40,006 | 49% |
| New Haven, CT | $39,100 | 2,350 | $37,395 | 63% |
| Manchester, NH | $38,960 | 1,900 | $36,874 | 67% |
| Chicago, IL | $38,930 | 41,690 | $37,579 | 67% |
| Reno, NV | $38,930 | 3,200 | $38,539 | 64% |
| Hanford, CA | $38,810 | 260 | $38,194 | 60% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $38,800 | 22,530 | $38,717 | 54% |
| Albany, OR | $38,780 | 380 | $37,982 | 51% |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $38,760 | 1,230 | $38,634 | 66% |
| Syracuse, NY | $38,740 | 1,890 | $40,463 | 50% |
| Glens Falls, NY | $38,730 | 480 | $40,826 | 45% |
| Waterbury, CT | $38,570 | 1,290 | $38,656 | – |
| Merced, CA | $38,480 | 410 | $39,155 | 64% |
| Madison, WI | $38,440 | 3,190 | $39,512 | 56% |
| Carson City, NV | $38,430 | 290 | $39,162 | 65% |
| Medford, OR | $38,430 | 960 | $37,887 | 58% |
| Trenton, NJ | $38,400 | 1,020 | $37,217 | 79% |
| Corvallis, OR | $38,380 | 430 | $36,898 | 57% |
| Rochester, NY | $38,380 | 3,290 | $39,553 | 48% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $38,370 | 1,930 | $37,942 | 62% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $38,290 | 1,600 | $37,956 | 60% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $38,270 | 24,220 | $37,317 | 60% |
| Billings, MT | $38,260 | 1,370 | $40,908 | 44% |
| Fresno, CA | $38,260 | 2,980 | $37,452 | 64% |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | $38,200 | 1,010 | $38,863 | 57% |
| Redding, CA | $38,200 | 500 | $37,940 | 52% |
| Norwich, CT | $38,180 | 1,670 | $38,011 | 66% |
| Nashville, TN | $38,170 | 10,420 | $39,621 | 57% |
| Rochester, MN | $38,150 | 1,060 | $42,006 | 50% |
| Utica, NY | $38,150 | 830 | $41,164 | 45% |
| Missoula, MT | $38,080 | 1,020 | $39,484 | 51% |
| Buffalo, NY | $38,060 | 3,990 | $39,710 | 46% |
| Helena, MT | $38,030 | 570 | $39,749 | 52% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $38,000 | 3,330 | $37,733 | 56% |
| Chico, CA | $37,980 | 600 | $37,531 | 49% |
| Orlando, FL | $37,970 | 19,960 | $37,439 | 61% |
| Eugene, OR | $37,960 | 1,660 | $37,374 | 56% |
| Omaha, NE | $37,840 | 2,850 | $41,170 | 44% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $37,800 | 2,100 | $37,468 | 58% |
| El Centro, CA | $37,710 | 380 | $39,622 | 57% |
| St. Louis, MO | $37,690 | 12,970 | $39,637 | 45% |
| Binghamton, NY | $37,530 | 750 | $40,414 | 51% |
| Tucson, AZ | $37,500 | 3,810 | $38,701 | 48% |
| Providence, RI | $37,460 | 8,850 | $36,807 | 69% |
| North Port, FL | $37,440 | 4,780 | $36,556 | 68% |
| Baltimore, MD | $37,420 | 7,760 | $35,813 | 62% |
| Detroit, MI | $37,410 | 16,490 | $37,299 | 49% |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | $37,380 | 1,150 | $38,044 | 60% |
| Kansas City, MO | $37,370 | 9,940 | $40,381 | 49% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $37,360 | 4,850 | $39,102 | 52% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $37,310 | 690 | $41,167 | 41% |
| Lincoln, NE | $37,290 | 890 | $40,718 | 41% |
| Traverse City, MI | $37,270 | 1,060 | $39,916 | 60% |
| Santa Fe, NM | $37,250 | 1,100 | $37,715 | 63% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $37,240 | 4,330 | $36,385 | 59% |
| Atlanta, GA | $37,230 | 29,040 | $37,208 | 59% |
| Boise, ID | $37,230 | 3,700 | $37,839 | 62% |
| Mankato, MN | $37,190 | 510 | $40,888 | 40% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $37,180 | 7,220 | $38,355 | 50% |
| Lexington Park, MD | $37,170 | 530 | $36,890 | 66% |
| Allentown, PA | $37,120 | 3,200 | $37,132 | 60% |
| Lansing, MI | $37,100 | 1,850 | $39,056 | 42% |
| Visalia, CA | $37,090 | 1,000 | $37,155 | 56% |
| Richmond, VA | $37,080 | 6,160 | $37,892 | 55% |
| Cleveland, OH | $37,060 | 8,190 | $39,458 | 47% |
| Charlotte, NC | $37,030 | 14,430 | $38,039 | 56% |
| Fargo, ND | $37,020 | 1,560 | $40,739 | 36% |
| Tampa, FL | $37,010 | 18,640 | $36,684 | 65% |
| Battle Creek, MI | $37,000 | 520 | $40,865 | 37% |
| Elmira, NY | $36,970 | 260 | $39,164 | 37% |
| Charlottesville, VA | $36,960 | 1,370 | $37,278 | 66% |
| Miami, FL | $36,920 | 37,210 | $32,342 | 86% |
| Greeley, CO | $36,900 | 1,000 | $36,835 | 55% |
| Vineland, NJ | $36,890 | 260 | $38,440 | 54% |
| Watertown, NY | $36,830 | 360 | $42,000 | 49% |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $36,820 | 1,730 | $37,565 | 64% |
| Austin, TX | $36,810 | 13,000 | $37,536 | 52% |
| Grand Forks, ND | $36,800 | 560 | $42,463 | 37% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $36,770 | 7,770 | $36,961 | 55% |
| Green Bay, WI | $36,760 | 1,620 | $39,490 | 37% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | $36,760 | 1,140 | $38,760 | 42% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $36,750 | 2,890 | $36,748 | 62% |
| Kenosha, WI | $36,730 | 640 | $36,324 | – |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $36,730 | 990 | $36,538 | 60% |
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | $36,720 | 750 | $39,023 | 50% |
| Charleston, SC | $36,710 | 6,040 | $36,360 | 67% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $36,700 | 4,600 | $36,384 | 54% |
| Duluth, MN | $36,680 | 1,460 | $41,321 | 43% |
| Jackson, MI | $36,680 | 520 | $39,966 | 39% |
| Bismarck, ND | $36,610 | 770 | $40,220 | 43% |
| Great Falls, MT | $36,610 | 490 | $37,803 | 47% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $36,610 | 9,180 | $38,257 | 50% |
| Niles, MI | $36,610 | 840 | $39,634 | 46% |
| Crestview, FL | $36,600 | 2,400 | $37,720 | 65% |
| Asheville, NC | $36,590 | 2,480 | $37,915 | 56% |
| Columbus, OH | $36,590 | 8,600 | $38,327 | 50% |
| Springfield, IL | $36,550 | 850 | $39,409 | 40% |
| Midland, MI | $36,540 | 260 | $39,752 | 45% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $36,540 | 2,240 | $36,457 | 76% |
| Provo, UT | $36,540 | 1,400 | $37,198 | 58% |
| Appleton, WI | $36,520 | 1,060 | $39,516 | 39% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $36,520 | 2,510 | $37,020 | 49% |
| Knoxville, TN | $36,520 | 3,820 | $39,452 | 57% |
| Grand Island, NE | $36,500 | 200 | $42,120 | 44% |
| Lancaster, PA | $36,500 | 2,230 | $37,147 | 52% |
| Oshkosh, WI | $36,500 | 700 | $39,277 | 42% |
| Dallas, TX | $36,490 | 34,430 | $35,396 | 55% |
| Sebastian, FL | $36,490 | 870 | $37,118 | 70% |
| Decatur, IL | $36,440 | 320 | $41,211 | 35% |
| Ogden, UT | $36,430 | 1,340 | $36,303 | 54% |
| Grand Junction, CO | $36,420 | 690 | $38,146 | 57% |
| Ames, IA | $36,410 | 570 | $40,988 | 38% |
| Lewiston, ID | $36,410 | 220 | $39,941 | 49% |
| Minot, ND | $36,390 | 380 | $41,814 | 41% |
| Deltona, FL | $36,350 | 3,280 | $36,582 | 58% |
| Flint, MI | $36,350 | 1,330 | $39,072 | 34% |
| Memphis, TN | $36,340 | 4,800 | $39,423 | 46% |
| York, PA | $36,310 | 1,470 | $37,823 | 46% |
| Raleigh, NC | $36,280 | 7,160 | $36,961 | 55% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $36,280 | 8,380 | $37,043 | 62% |
| St. Cloud, MN | $36,270 | 780 | $41,389 | 40% |
| Sioux City, IA | $36,270 | 560 | $41,953 | 43% |
| La Crosse, WI | $36,260 | 860 | $39,512 | 45% |
| Lebanon, PA | $36,250 | 470 | $38,889 | 48% |
| Monroe, MI | $36,200 | 440 | $38,720 | 42% |
| Rockford, IL | $36,200 | 1,130 | $39,282 | 43% |
| Wausau, WI | $36,180 | 530 | $39,050 | 32% |
| Durham, NC | $36,170 | 2,660 | $37,070 | 54% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $36,130 | 7,130 | $39,963 | 46% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $36,130 | 13,260 | $38,164 | 49% |
| Yuma, AZ | $36,080 | 590 | $38,919 | 47% |
| Des Moines, IA | $36,070 | 3,320 | $39,334 | 43% |
| Champaign, IL | $36,040 | 970 | $38,876 | 46% |
| Peoria, IL | $36,040 | 1,420 | $39,504 | 39% |
| Akron, OH | $36,030 | 2,820 | $38,588 | 43% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $36,030 | 10,810 | $37,779 | 51% |
| Reading, PA | $36,020 | 1,420 | $37,111 | 52% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $36,010 | 2,490 | $39,371 | 50% |
| Saginaw, MI | $36,000 | 780 | $39,608 | 35% |
| State College, PA | $35,990 | 730 | $37,194 | 65% |
| Lexington, KY | $35,970 | 2,300 | $38,724 | 53% |
| Louisville, KY | $35,950 | 5,390 | $38,625 | 45% |
| Salisbury, MD | $35,940 | 320 | $37,587 | 65% |
| Savannah, GA | $35,940 | 2,570 | $37,750 | 59% |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $35,920 | 740 | $37,854 | 56% |
| Janesville, WI | $35,920 | 640 | $38,334 | 43% |
| Pueblo, CO | $35,920 | 580 | $39,145 | 44% |
| The Villages, FL | $35,920 | 560 | $42,049 | 58% |
| Iowa City, IA | $35,910 | 1,060 | $39,242 | 59% |
| Rapid City, SD | $35,910 | 390 | $40,276 | 49% |
| Staunton, VA | $35,900 | 500 | $39,395 | 48% |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $35,830 | 650 | $37,951 | 48% |
| Muskegon, MI | $35,810 | 600 | $38,706 | 43% |
| Pensacola, FL | $35,800 | 2,260 | $36,636 | 58% |
| Racine, WI | $35,800 | 600 | $37,307 | 49% |
| Eau Claire, WI | $35,780 | 790 | $38,558 | 38% |
| Gainesville, FL | $35,760 | 1,320 | $36,968 | 55% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $35,720 | 1,110 | $40,152 | 41% |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $35,720 | 320 | $38,977 | 38% |
| Panama City, FL | $35,720 | 1,310 | $36,713 | 58% |
| Dayton, OH | $35,700 | 2,960 | $38,514 | 44% |
| Pinehurst, NC | $35,690 | 670 | $40,403 | 63% |
| Greenville, SC | $35,680 | 4,360 | $38,259 | 53% |
| Midland, TX | $35,670 | 900 | $37,240 | 53% |
| Morristown, TN | $35,670 | 320 | $41,302 | 52% |
| Dubuque, IA | $35,610 | 440 | $40,777 | 36% |
| Canton, OH | $35,600 | 1,570 | $39,818 | 38% |
| Lakeland, FL | $35,600 | 2,080 | $36,648 | 61% |
| St. George, UT | $35,590 | 840 | $36,570 | 62% |
| Dover, DE | $35,570 | 590 | $36,479 | 60% |
| Kankakee, IL | $35,560 | 320 | $36,890 | 45% |
| St. Joseph, MO | $35,560 | 320 | $41,166 | 34% |
| Toledo, OH | $35,560 | 2,920 | $38,883 | 43% |
| Huntsville, AL | $35,520 | 1,800 | $38,164 | 47% |
| Ocala, FL | $35,500 | 1,260 | $37,277 | 54% |
| Spartanburg, SC | $35,500 | 1,180 | $38,989 | 50% |
| Columbia, SC | $35,490 | 3,520 | $37,892 | 53% |
| Jackson, TN | $35,490 | 490 | $41,498 | 47% |
| Davenport, IA | $35,480 | 1,560 | $39,830 | 34% |
| Bay City, MI | $35,420 | 330 | $38,533 | 34% |
| Waterloo, IA | $35,420 | 670 | $40,686 | 35% |
| Winchester, VA | $35,390 | 660 | $36,693 | 62% |
| Sierra Vista, AZ | $35,380 | 300 | $39,645 | 43% |
| Sheboygan, WI | $35,360 | 450 | $37,611 | 46% |
| Gettysburg, PA | $35,350 | 400 | $37,063 | 47% |
| Bloomington, IL | $35,310 | 850 | $37,750 | 44% |
| Gainesville, GA | $35,310 | 700 | $36,490 | 58% |
| Cheyenne, WY | $35,300 | 370 | $36,584 | 52% |
| Kokomo, IN | $35,300 | 370 | $39,376 | 37% |
| Casper, WY | $35,250 | 390 | $37,568 | 49% |
| Sandusky, OH | $35,250 | 910 | $39,482 | 62% |
| Columbia, MO | $35,240 | 990 | $39,402 | 50% |
| Logan, UT | $35,210 | 360 | $36,705 | 49% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $35,190 | 3,390 | $36,830 | 51% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $35,190 | 3,420 | $37,579 | 59% |
| Lawrence, KS | $35,140 | 690 | $38,939 | 53% |
| Springfield, MO | $35,100 | 1,910 | $39,623 | 43% |
| Lynchburg, VA | $35,080 | 1,000 | $39,256 | 44% |
| Blacksburg, VA | $35,050 | 720 | $37,806 | 57% |
| Houston, TX | $35,050 | 32,710 | $35,537 | 56% |
| Cleveland, TN | $35,030 | 340 | $39,771 | 48% |
| Twin Falls, ID | $34,940 | 450 | $37,934 | 54% |
| Wilmington, NC | $34,940 | 3,440 | $36,237 | 60% |
| Pocatello, ID | $34,920 | 330 | $39,277 | 37% |
| Roanoke, VA | $34,920 | 1,560 | $37,301 | 48% |
| Bloomington, IN | $34,910 | 930 | $36,715 | 60% |
| Odessa, TX | $34,900 | 840 | $37,169 | 54% |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $34,870 | 380 | $40,510 | 35% |
| Lafayette, IN | $34,870 | 930 | $37,322 | 51% |
| Scranton, PA | $34,870 | 2,170 | $37,272 | 47% |
| San Antonio, TX | $34,860 | 10,860 | $36,805 | 49% |
| Clarksville, TN | $34,840 | 880 | $38,308 | 46% |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $34,720 | 530 | $37,147 | 61% |
| Jefferson City, MO | $34,670 | 460 | $39,409 | 35% |
| South Bend, IN | $34,650 | 1,300 | $37,315 | 44% |
| Chambersburg, PA | $34,620 | 500 | $36,580 | 46% |
| Johnson City, TN | $34,620 | 780 | $39,373 | 52% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $34,610 | 1,520 | $36,851 | 51% |
| Kingsport, TN | $34,600 | 1,020 | $40,025 | 46% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $34,600 | 2,580 | $37,591 | 53% |
| Florence, SC | $34,550 | 730 | $39,816 | 53% |
| Greensboro, NC | $34,550 | 3,250 | $37,205 | 49% |
| Farmington, NM | $34,540 | 370 | $39,381 | 49% |
| Sebring, FL | $34,530 | 300 | $37,342 | 53% |
| Wichita, KS | $34,510 | 2,810 | $38,799 | 42% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $34,490 | 2,030 | $37,257 | 44% |
| Springfield, OH | $34,490 | 320 | $38,118 | 42% |
| Brunswick, GA | $34,480 | 760 | $39,312 | 58% |
| Topeka, KS | $34,450 | 770 | $38,786 | 44% |
| Birmingham, AL | $34,340 | 4,020 | $37,471 | 49% |
| Hagerstown, MD | $34,330 | 800 | $36,455 | 56% |
| Evansville, IN | $34,290 | 1,330 | $37,464 | 38% |
| Altoona, PA | $34,210 | 530 | $38,220 | 35% |
| Lima, OH | $34,200 | 380 | $38,140 | 42% |
| Greenville, NC | $34,130 | 890 | $38,608 | 52% |
| Augusta, GA | $33,990 | 2,200 | $36,985 | 52% |
| Joplin, MO | $33,930 | 700 | $39,583 | 44% |
| Daphne, AL | $33,850 | 1,600 | $35,748 | 60% |
| Elkhart, IN | $33,770 | 640 | $37,387 | 42% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $33,730 | 2,940 | $36,923 | 56% |
| Rome, GA | $33,620 | 400 | $37,289 | 45% |
| Erie, PA | $33,550 | 1,330 | $36,888 | 40% |
| Athens, GA | $33,540 | 1,120 | $35,932 | 64% |
| Tulsa, OK | $33,410 | 4,420 | $37,449 | 49% |
| Montgomery, AL | $33,070 | 1,280 | $36,875 | 50% |
| Mobile, AL | $33,030 | 1,310 | $37,492 | 47% |
| Burlington, NC | $32,830 | 740 | $35,227 | 49% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $32,720 | 1,210 | $35,574 | 53% |
| College Station, TX | $32,630 | 1,410 | $35,876 | 55% |
| Goldsboro, NC | $32,420 | 420 | $36,649 | 56% |
| Decatur, AL | $32,410 | 380 | $37,162 | 40% |
| Williamsport, PA | $32,340 | 500 | $35,019 | 40% |
| Manhattan, KS | $32,280 | 520 | $35,802 | 47% |
| Warner Robins, GA | $32,180 | 780 | $34,311 | 56% |
| Youngstown, OH | $32,150 | 1,600 | $36,787 | 39% |
| Sherman, TX | $31,760 | 510 | $33,870 | 51% |
| Macon, GA | $31,650 | 970 | $35,751 | 46% |
| Waco, TX | $31,500 | 1,140 | $34,036 | 54% |
| Sumter, SC | $31,370 | 290 | $35,640 | 56% |
| Mansfield, OH | $31,300 | 480 | $35,219 | 34% |
| Paducah, KY | $31,200 | 490 | $36,244 | 44% |
| Dalton, GA | $31,060 | 410 | $34,571 | 54% |
| Bowling Green, KY | $31,040 | 570 | $34,420 | 47% |
| Las Cruces, NM | $30,980 | 730 | $34,341 | 57% |
| Little Rock, AR | $30,690 | 3,560 | $34,343 | 48% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $30,690 | 890 | $34,986 | 65% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $30,670 | 2,130 | $33,096 | 56% |
| Gulfport, MS | $30,590 | 2,520 | $33,987 | 56% |
| Auburn, AL | $30,580 | 760 | $34,776 | 63% |
| Amarillo, TX | $30,560 | 1,300 | $33,283 | 51% |
| Beaumont, TX | $30,520 | 1,480 | $33,894 | 51% |
| New Orleans, LA | $30,520 | 4,720 | $32,960 | 62% |
| Killeen, TX | $30,510 | 1,340 | $33,479 | 51% |
| Columbus, GA | $30,470 | 1,130 | $34,122 | 53% |
| Hickory, NC | $30,380 | 1,410 | $34,333 | 63% |
| Florence, AL | $30,350 | 590 | $35,783 | 42% |
| Tyler, TX | $30,300 | 1,050 | $32,879 | 52% |
| Lubbock, TX | $30,250 | 1,700 | $33,126 | 53% |
| Jonesboro, AR | $30,190 | 540 | $35,155 | 49% |
| Abilene, TX | $30,180 | 730 | $33,398 | 79% |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $30,120 | 370 | $33,255 | 52% |
| Muncie, IN | $30,050 | 460 | $34,090 | 42% |
| Johnstown, PA | $30,040 | 460 | $34,959 | 35% |
| Weirton, WV | $30,030 | 320 | $33,732 | 32% |
| Owensboro, KY | $30,010 | 440 | $33,868 | 49% |
| Longview, TX | $29,930 | 920 | $33,447 | 46% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $29,910 | 2,420 | $32,948 | 55% |
| Valdosta, GA | $29,880 | 680 | $33,850 | 53% |
| Michigan City, IN | $29,860 | 490 | $32,569 | 48% |
| Anniston, AL | $29,850 | 390 | $34,730 | 39% |
| Terre Haute, IN | $29,830 | 600 | $33,976 | 39% |
| San Angelo, TX | $29,800 | 510 | $32,233 | 53% |
| Wichita Falls, TX | $29,790 | 520 | $33,280 | 53% |
| Columbus, IN | $29,740 | 360 | $31,977 | 56% |
| Morgantown, WV | $29,740 | 760 | $31,868 | 55% |
| Dothan, AL | $29,710 | 560 | $35,440 | 49% |
| Wheeling, WV | $29,710 | 580 | $33,638 | 35% |
| Parkersburg, WV | $29,700 | 410 | $34,112 | 43% |
| Victoria, TX | $29,680 | 340 | $33,037 | 47% |
| Jacksonville, NC | $29,580 | 730 | $32,122 | 64% |
| Huntington, WV | $29,550 | 1,090 | $33,419 | 44% |
| Texarkana, TX | $29,490 | 640 | $35,102 | 51% |
| Charleston, WV | $29,450 | 770 | $33,195 | 49% |
| Fort Smith, AR | $29,370 | 850 | $34,196 | 44% |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $29,360 | 610 | $33,503 | 53% |
| Enid, OK | $29,340 | 220 | $34,817 | 46% |
| Hot Springs, AR | $29,260 | 690 | $34,130 | 51% |
| Jackson, MS | $29,260 | 2,280 | $32,859 | 60% |
| Albany, GA | $29,150 | 470 | $33,250 | 44% |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $29,070 | 420 | $33,030 | 53% |
| Slidell, LA | $29,050 | 1,100 | $31,329 | – |
| El Paso, TX | $28,990 | 3,550 | $32,243 | 63% |
| Lawton, OK | $28,800 | 410 | $33,511 | 47% |
| Gadsden, AL | $28,790 | 400 | $33,612 | 45% |
| Beckley, WV | $28,770 | 420 | $32,557 | 43% |
| Brownsville, TX | $28,670 | 1,510 | $33,347 | 63% |
| Lake Charles, LA | $28,550 | 850 | $33,255 | 57% |
| Shreveport, LA | $28,440 | 1,240 | $33,551 | 54% |
| McAllen, TX | $28,380 | 2,590 | $33,040 | 47% |
| Laredo, TX | $28,120 | 1,060 | $32,338 | 48% |
| Houma, LA | $27,690 | 530 | $32,537 | 56% |
| Lafayette, LA | $27,660 | 1,430 | $31,717 | 60% |
| Alexandria, LA | $27,220 | 360 | $31,767 | 45% |
| Hammond, LA | $27,130 | 460 | $32,122 | 58% |
| Monroe, LA | $27,090 | 570 | $32,405 | 52% |
What the median line cook salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $37,390 |
| Month | $3,116 |
| Every two weeks | $1,438 |
| Week | $719 |
| Hour | $17.98 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a line cook: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | No formal educational credential |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | Less than 5 years |
| On-the-job training | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +12.1% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 218,600 |
| Self-employed | % |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Chef | $62,470 | High school diploma |
Questions about line cook pay
How much does a line cook make an hour?
The median is $17.98 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $13.80 and the top 10% over $23.03.
How much does a line cook make a month?
About $3,116 a month before taxes at the median salary of $37,390, or $1,438 every two weeks.
What state pays line cooks the most?
Washington, with a median of $46,800. The District of Columbia ($46,130), Massachusetts ($45,600), Hawaii ($45,420) and Vermont ($45,390) follow.
Where do line cooks make the most after cost of living?
Maine: its median of $45,290 is worth $46,667 at typical US prices. Vermont, Washington and Massachusetts come next.
How much do entry-level line cooks make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of line cooks earn under $28,700 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $34,010, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a line cook?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as no formal educational credential. Work experience in a related job: less than 5 years. On-the-job training: moderate-term on-the-job training.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 35-2014 (Cooks, Restaurant). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.