Cooks, private household
BLS projects employment of cooks, private household to change by +5.1% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations, with about 5,000 openings a year. The median annual wage in 2025 was $47,940 (all occupations: $50,980).
Updated
| Median annual wage, 2025 | $47,940 |
|---|---|
| Employment, 2025 | 35,400 |
| Projected employment, 2035 | 37,200 |
| Change, 2025–35 | +5.1% (+1,800) |
| Openings per year, 2025–35 average | 5,000 |
| Typical entry education | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Work experience in a related occupation | Less than 5 years |
| Typical on-the-job training | None |
| Self-employed | 79.7% |
Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile ↗
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, Table 1.2 Occupational projections, 2025–35, and worker characteristics, 2025 ↗. Employment is for 2025, projections to 2035; median annual wage is for 2025; openings are the projected annual average for 2025–35. Figures are national, not local. Data last downloaded Oct 16, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How much do cooks, private household make?
BLS reports a median annual wage of $47,940 for cooks, private household in 2025.
What is the job outlook for cooks, private household?
BLS projects employment to change by +5.1% from 2025 to 2035, with about 5,000 openings per year on average.
What education do cooks, private household need?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as: Postsecondary nondegree award. Typical on-the-job training: None.