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  1. Career Hub
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  4. Entry Level Cook
Hospitality
Temp & Flexible

Entry Level Cook: Duties, Pay & Jobs Near You

What does a entry level cook do? An Entry Level Cook learns the foundations of professional cooking while assisting line cooks and prep cooks during service. You handle basic food prep, follow recipes, run plates to the pass, and pick up technique on the job - the standard starting point for a US kitchen career.. Find entry level cook jobs near you with average pay $14-$19/hr, required skills, and career path.

Find Entry Level Cook Shifts
Hourly Pay
$14-$19
Physical
Medium
Flexibility
Medium
Experience
Exp Req.
Growth
4 Levels
Schedule
Flexible
ByIndeed Flex Career Hub
Updated 2025-01-15
Table of Contents
  • Job Description
  • Key Facts
  • Job Duties
  • Skills & Qualifications
  • Career Growth
  • A Day in the Life
  • Resources & Guides
  • FAQs

What does a Entry Level Cook do?

A entry level cook is responsible for An Entry Level Cook learns the foundations of professional cooking while assisting line cooks and prep cooks during service. An Entry Level Cook learns the foundations of professional cooking while assisting line cooks and prep cooks during service. You handle basic food prep, follow recipes, run plates to the pass, and pick up technique on the job - the standard starting point for a US kitchen career.

As a entry level cook, you can expect to earn between $14 and $19 per hour depending on experience and location. According to BLS OEWS, May 2024, this role typically requires prior experience. It is generally a Moderate job with Flexible scheduling.

Key duties of a Entry Level Cook include:

  • Manage and operate assigned kitchen station
  • Prepare dishes according to specifications
  • Train and supervise commis chefs
  • Maintain cleanliness and organization
  • Ensure food safety standards
Top skills:Basic knife skillsRecipe followingFood safetyTime managementFood safety
How to become a Entry Level Cook Entry Level Cook interview questions Calculate annual salary

Key Facts: Entry Level Cook

  • Average Hourly Rate$14-$19 / hour
  • Industryhospitality
  • Experience NeededPrior experience preferred
  • Key SkillsBasic knife skills, Recipe following, Food safety

Market rates for a entry level cook range from $14 to $19/hr. A typical entry level cook is responsible for An Entry Level Cook learns the foundations of professional cooking while assisting line cooks and prep cooks during service. Calculate your exact take-home pay or find current entry level cook openings on Indeed Flex.

What are the job duties?

  • Manage and operate assigned kitchen station
  • Prepare dishes according to specifications
  • Train and supervise commis chefs
  • Maintain cleanliness and organization
  • Ensure food safety standards

What skills do you need?

To succeed as a Entry Level Cook, you'll need a mix of hard skills and soft skills. Here are the most important ones:

Basic knife skillsRecipe followingFood safetyTime managementFood safetyLeadership

What are the requirements?

  • Culinary training or equivalent experience
  • 2+ years kitchen experience
  • Food handler certification
  • Strong knowledge of cooking techniques

Career Growth & Path

Here is a typical career progression for a Entry Level Cook:

1
Commis Chef
0-2 years
2
Chef de Partie
2-4 years
3
Sous Chef
4-7 years
4
Head Chef
7+ years

Want to see more paths? Check out our Career Path Explorer tool.

Start Earning Today

Average Pay
$14-$19/hr
Industry
hospitality
Career Growth
4 advancement levels

Find flexible entry level cook shifts

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1
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2
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3
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Related Roles

  • Barback$12-$18/hr
  • Barista$13-$19/hr
  • Bartender$15-$25/hr
  • Server$12-$20/hr

What is it really like being a Entry Level Cook?

The Good

    The Challenging

      Best For: People who enjoy active, hands-on work and flexible schedules.

      Calculate Your Entry Level Cook Earnings

      Estimate your potential weekly and monthly earnings as a Entry Level Cook on the app.

      Calculate Your Entry Level Cook Earnings
      $17/hr
      $14/hr$19/hr
      25 hrs
      5 hrs (Part-time)50 hrs (Full-time+)
      Weekly
      $425
      Monthly
      $1,840
      Yearly
      $22,100
      Open Full Pay Calculator

      Compare Entry Level Cook Pay

      See how Entry Level Cook pay compares across roles and locations

      hospitality Role Salaries
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      Current

      Different roles offer varying pay based on skill requirements and demand.

      Pay by Location
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      Current

      Pay rates vary by location based on cost of living and local demand.

      FAQs: Entry Level Cook

      Resources & Guides

      Everything you need to advance your career.

      Earnings & Pay

      • Take-Home Pay Calculator

      Career Path

      • How to Become a Entry Level Cook

      Interviews

      • Entry Level Cook Interview Questions

      Related Roles

      • Barback
      • Barista
      • Bartender

      Top Cities

      • Charlotte Jobs
      • Las Vegas Jobs
      • Dallas Jobs

      Data Sources & Methodology

      The information on this page is compiled from the following sources:

      1. [1]
        BLS OEWS — Official federal statistics on employment and wages by occupation and geographic area.Visit
      2. [2]
        BLS CES — Monthly survey of ~670,000 worksites providing industry-level employment and earnings data.Visit
      3. [3]
        BLS OOH — Career information including job outlook, education requirements, and median pay.Visit
      4. [4]
        Indeed Hiring Lab — Monthly posted-wage data by job title from Indeed job listings.Visit
      5. [5]
        Toast 2025 Report — Annual industry report on restaurant wages, tips, and employment trends.Visit

      Data Freshness

      CategoryWage Data
      Last Updated2026-01-20
      Next Update2026-04-20

      We strive to keep all data accurate and up-to-date. Pay rates may vary based on location, experience, and employer.

      About this data

      Figures on this page are compiled from the public sources cited above and may be out of date. They are provided for general informational purposes only and do not constitute professional career, legal, tax, or financial advice. For the most current pay rates, verify with the original source, a qualified professional, or check the Indeed Flex app directly for real-time shift availability and compensation.

      What Flexers Say

      “It took one day for me to be able to find work! I've had a great experience. That's why I've stayed with Indeed Flex for three years.”

      KatieHospitality

      “Having lost my job, I sought something flexible to allow me to pursue my university studies and second career while earning money at the same time. As much as you want to work, you can do.”

      SashaHospitality

      “What brought me to Indeed Flex was the flexibility to work in different places as it gives you the opportunity and freedom to be creative as a chef.”

      CharlieHospitality

      Source: indeedflex.com

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