As of May 18, 2021, the average salary for a Line Cook/Prep in the United States is $38,626 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $19.
However, a Line Cook/Prep's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2025 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered Talent
AI Onboarding
A Line Cook/Prep's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Line Cook/Prep's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Line Cook/Prep | $36,776 |
| Intermediate Level Line Cook/Prep | $37,065 |
| Senior Level Line Cook/Prep | $37,644 |
| Specialist Level Line Cook/Prep | $38,501 |
| Expert Level Line Cook/Prep | $39,665 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Line Cook/Preps. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Commitment | 8.4% |
| Food Service | 3.6% |
| Safety Regulations | 1.59% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Food Safety
|
$41,329 |
7%
|
|
Leadership
|
$41,329 |
7%
|
|
Food Service
|
$40,943 |
6%
|
|
Food Handling
|
$40,943 |
6%
|
|
Presentation
|
$39,398 |
2%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Line Cook/Preps enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Line Cook/Prep with a No Diploma is between $38,281 and $41,120).
Line Cook/Prep Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 2.3% |
| High School | 43.4% |
| Associates | 37.6% |
| Bachelors | 15.7% |
| Masters | 0.6% |
| Doctorate | 0.3% |
Understanding how a Line Cook/Prep's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on May 18, 2021Salaries for a Line Cook/Prep can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $40,366 in 2023 to around $39,898 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Line Cook/Prep salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $40,366 |
| 2024 | $40,135 |
| 2025 | $39,898 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Line Cook/Prep and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Line Cook/Prep job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
