Cooks, restaurant
BLS projects employment of cooks, restaurant to change by +12.1% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations, with about 218,600 openings a year. The median annual wage in 2025 was $37,390 (all occupations: $50,980).
Updated
| Median annual wage, 2025 | $37,390 |
|---|---|
| Employment, 2025 | 1,417,500 |
| Projected employment, 2035 | 1,588,800 |
| Change, 2025–35 | +12.1% (+171,400) |
| Openings per year, 2025–35 average | 218,600 |
| Typical entry education | No formal educational credential |
| Work experience in a related occupation | Less than 5 years |
| Typical on-the-job training | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
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, restaurant make?
BLS reports a median annual wage of $37,390 for cooks, restaurant in 2025.
What is the job outlook for cooks, restaurant?
BLS projects employment to change by +12.1% from 2025 to 2035, with about 218,600 openings per year on average.
What education do cooks, restaurant need?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as: No formal educational credential. Typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training.