How to become cooks, private householdeducation, training, experience and the steps to enter

United States Food Service Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay

$47,940

25th–75th pct. $40,630–$55,450

Top pay (est.)

$118,500

Top 10% $91,130

Pay in 5 years

$56,000est.

2031

Pay in 10 years

$65,400est.

$56,300–$76,000

Outlook score

64/100

★★★☆☆ Average

AI replacement risk

36%

Low

Job growth (10 yr)

+5.1%

5,000 openings / yr

How to become cooks, private household

Typical education

Postsecondary nondegree award

BLS

Related experience

Less than 5 years

On-the-job training

None

A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.

Skills, education and requirements for Cooks, Private Household

Key skills

Service Orientation

3.5

Critical Thinking

3.1

Reading Comprehension

3.0

Coordination

3.0

Social Perceptiveness

3.0

Judgment and Decision Making

3.0

Active Learning

3.0

Time Management

3.0

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Sales and Marketing

4.1

Customer and Personal Service

4.1

Administration and Management

3.7

Food Production

3.5

Administrative

3.1

Mathematics

3.0

Education and Training

3.0

Production and Processing

2.9

What the work involves

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsGetting InformationHandling and Moving ObjectsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsThinking CreativelyPerforming Administrative ActivitiesMonitoring and Controlling Resources

Important abilities

Oral ComprehensionNear VisionOriginalityFluency of IdeasDeductive ReasoningProblem Sensitivity

Education of workers

Post-secondary certificate

38%

High school diploma

31%

Less than high school

15%

Associate's degree

12%

Some college

Training before entry

Up to 1 month

35%

None / short demo

19%

6–12 months

15%

1–3 months

12%

3–6 months

1–2 years

2–4 years

4–10 years

Related work experience

2–4 years

31%

1–2 years

23%

None

19%

6–12 months

12%

3–6 months

1–3 months

8–10 years

Job Zone 3 — medium preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★☆☆☆ Fairly easy (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Career path and how to earn more as cooks, private household

Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.

Related occupations

	Occupation	Pay	Outlook	AI risk
1	Fast Food and Counter Workers Perform duties such as taking orders and serving food and beverages.	$31,200	57/100	30%
2	Waiters and Waitresses Take orders and serve food and beverages to patrons at tables in dining establishment.	$35,230	50/100	18%
3	Cooks, Restaurant Prepare, season, and cook dishes such as soups, meats, vegetables, or desserts in restaurants.	$37,390	65/100	19%
4	First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in preparing and serving food.	$44,080	60/100	30%
5	Food Preparation Workers Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea.	$35,320	42/100	30%
6	Bartenders Mix and serve drinks to patrons, directly or through waitstaff.	$34,340	58/100	20%

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data

Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.