Culinary Career Center > Compensation
Compensation
Wages of chefs, cooks, and food preparation workers depend greatly
on the part of the country and the type of establishment in which
they are employed. Wages usually are highest in elegant restaurants
and hotels, where many executive chefs are employed.
Head Cooks and Chefs
Median hourly earnings of head cooks and chefs were $12.07 in 2000.
The middle 50 percent earned between $8.98 and $16.75. The lowest
10 percent earned less than $7.39, and the highest 10 percent earned
more than $22.77 per hour. Median hourly earnings in the industries
employing the largest number of head cooks and chefs in 2000 were:
- Miscellaneous amusement and recreation services $16.50
- Hotels and motels $15.78
- Eating and drinking palces $11.03
Restaurant Cooks
Median hourly earnings of restaurant cooks were $8.72 in 2000. The
middle 50 percent earned between $7.35 and $10.33. The lowest 10
percent earned less than $6.30, and the highest 10 percent earned
more than $12.43 per hour. Median hourly earnings in the industries
employing the largest number of restaurant cooks in 2000 were:
- Hotels and motels $9.97
- Miscellaneous amusement and recreation services $9.68
- Eating and drinking places $8.57
Fast-Food Restaurants
Median hourly earnings of cooks in fast-food restaurants were $6.53
in 2000. The middle 50 percent earned between $5.90 and $7.53. The
lowest 10 percent earned less than $5.49, and the highest 10 percent
earned more than $8.43 per hour. Median hourly earnings in eating
and drinking places, the industry employing the largest number of
fast-food cooks, were $6.52 in 2000.
Short-Order Cooks
Median hourly earnings of short-order cooks were $7.55 in 2000.
The middle 50 percent earned between $6.32 and $9.20. The lowest
10 percent earned less than $5.67, and the highest 10 percent earned
more than $10.83 per hour. Median hourly earnings in the industries
employing the largest number of short-order cooks in 2000 were:
- Hotels and motels $8.66
- Miscellaneous amusement and recreation services $7.94
- Eating and drinking places $7.57
- Gasoline service stations $6.87
- Grocery stores $6.60
Cafeteria Cooks
Median hourly earnings of institution and cafeteria cooks were $8.22
in 2000. The middle 50 percent earned between $6.70 and $10.24.
The lowest 10 percent earned less than $5.84, and the highest 10
percent earned more than $12.53 per hour. Median hourly earnings
in the industries employing the largest number of institution and
cafeteria cooks in 2000 were:
- Hospitals $9.37
- Nursing and personal care facilities $8.50
- Eating and drinking places $8.29
- Elementary and secondary schools $7.65
- Child day care services $7.52
Food Preparation Workers
Median hourly earnings of food preparation workers were $7.38 in
2000. The middle 50 percent earned between $6.28 and $8.81. The
lowest 10 percent earned less than $5.67, and the highest 10 percent
earned more than $10.65 per hour. Median hourly earnings in the
industries employing the largest number of food preparation workers
in 2000 were:
- Elementary and secondary schools $8.14
- Hospitals $8.12
- Grocery stores $7.90
- Nursing and personal care facilities $7.56
- Eating and drinking places $6.88
Benefits
Some employers provide employees with uniforms and free meals, but
Federal law permits employers to deduct from their employees' wages
the cost or fair value of any meals or lodging provided, and some
employers do so. Chefs, cooks, and food preparation workers who
work full time often receive typical benefits, but part-time workers
usually do not.
In some large hotels and restaurants, kitchen workers belong to
unions. The principal unions are the Hotel Employees and Restaurant
Employees International Union and the Service Employees International
Union.
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