Salary data · Bespree
Cook Salary in Los Angeles
Cooks in the Los Angeles area earn a median of $21.49/hr — based on BLS OEWS May 2024.
At median pay, that's roughly $44,699/year, $860/week, or $3,722/month (40-hour week, before taxes).
About cooks
Job duties, work environment, and education based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What cooks do
Restaurant cooks prepare, season, and cook food in restaurants and other eating establishments. They follow recipes, prepare ingredients by washing, peeling, cutting, and seasoning, operate cooking equipment such as grills, ovens, and fryers, and ensure food is stored and handled safely. Cooks may also plan menus, order supplies, and supervise kitchen staff in smaller establishments.
Work environment
Cooks work in restaurants, cafeterias, and other food service establishments. Kitchens are often hot, crowded, and fast-paced. The work is physically demanding, requiring workers to stand for long periods, lift heavy pots and supplies, and work near hot surfaces and sharp instruments. Injuries such as burns and cuts are common. Cooks often work early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays.
How to become one
Most cooks learn their skills through work experience. A high school diploma is not always required, but employers prefer it. Some cooks attend culinary programs at community colleges or vocational schools. Advancement typically comes with experience — cooks can progress to head cook or chef positions over time.
Similar occupations
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — bls.gov/ooh. BLS content is in the public domain.
Hourly wage ranges
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th) | $17.52 | $36,442 |
| 25th percentile | $18.28 | $38,022 |
| Median (50th) | $21.49 | $44,699 |
| 75th percentile | $22.90 | $47,632 |
| Top earners (90th) | $26.66 | $55,453 |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024 · Annual estimate = hourly × 2,080 hrs · Actual annual income varies by hours worked and schedule.
Cooks — Hourly Pay Distribution
Percentile range from entry-level to top earners
How Los Angeles compares
Cooks pay by metro
| Metro | Median/hr |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $21.49 |
| New York City | $20.18 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford | $18.95 |
| New Haven | $18.10 |
| Trenton-Princeton | $18.05 |
| Chicago | $17.83 |
| Philadelphia | $17.81 |
| Miami | $17.39 |
| Houston | $16.23 |
Cooks — Median Hourly Pay by Metro
Sorted by median pay, highest to lowest
Job outlook for Cooks
National employment projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
🟡 About as fast as average
+5.2% projected growth, 2024–2034
+72,400
2024–2034
~176,400
New + replacement
1,382,600
2024 estimate
No formal credential
Entry-level
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034. Published August 2025. National-level projections — local growth may differ.
Skills & qualifications
Key skills and knowledge areas from O*NET OnLine, plus representative tools compiled by Bespree for cooks.
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Coordination
- Time Management
- Speaking
- Food Production
- Customer and Personal Service
- Production and Processing
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Commercial ovens
- Gas ranges
- Deep fryers
- Food thermometers
- Knife sets
Skills and knowledge data from O*NET OnLine, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Bespree has selected and summarized a subset of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Tools & technology listed are representative examples compiled by Bespree.
Commute-adjusted effective wage
What you actually earn after subtracting the cost of getting to work.
Effective hourly wage after estimated commute costs, based on a 40-hr work week.
| Commute mode | Monthly cost | Hourly impact | Effective wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| No commute cost (baseline) | — | — | $21.49 |
| Metro rail/bus (monthly pass) | ~$122/mo | −$0.70/hr | $20.79/hr |
| Driving (gas + wear, no parking) | ~$280/mo | −$1.62/hr | $19.87/hr |
Methodology: Commute cost is deducted from median hourly wage assuming 2,080 working hours per year (52 weeks × 40 hrs). Costs are directional estimates based on published transit fares or AAA average variable driving costs. Actual costs vary by distance, schedule, vehicle, and commute days.
Metro rail/bus (monthly pass): LA Metro monthly pass, 2024 rate.
Driving (gas + wear, no parking): AAA avg variable cost × 20mi avg LA round-trip.
Local job market
—
No current paid openings on Bespree
No exact matches right now — new openings are added regularly.
Browse all jobs on Bespree →BLS estimates 57,770 cooks employed in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA area, or 6.7 per 1,000 jobs. (BLS OEWS May 2024)
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Data source: Wage data is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, BLS OEWS May 2024. Job outlook data is from the BLS Employment Projections program (BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034). BLS data is in the public domain. Occupation profile content summarized from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Skills and knowledge data from O*NET OnLine, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Bespree has selected and summarized a subset of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Tools & technology listed are representative examples compiled by Bespree. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after retrieval. Wage figures are estimates and do not constitute a guarantee of earnings. Actual pay depends on employer, experience, certifications, and hours worked. Weekly and monthly earnings shown assume a 40-hour work week and are pre-tax estimates. Commute cost figures are directional estimates based on published transit fares and AAA average variable driving cost data; actual commute costs vary.