What does a line cook do? Line Cooks prepare food items according to recipes, operate cooking equipment, and maintain kitchen stations. They work on the front lines of restaurant kitchens during service.. Find line cook jobs near you with average pay $15-$22/hr, required skills, and career path.
A line cook is responsible for Line Cooks prepare food items according to recipes, operate cooking equipment, and maintain kitchen stations. Line Cooks prepare food items according to recipes, operate cooking equipment, and maintain kitchen stations. They work on the front lines of restaurant kitchens during service.
As a line cook, you can expect to earn between $15 and $22 per hour depending on experience and location. According to BLS OEWS, May 2024, this role typically requires prior experience. It is generally a high job with low scheduling.
Market rates for a line cook range from $15 to $22/hr. A typical line cook is responsible for Line Cooks prepare food items according to recipes, operate cooking equipment, and maintain kitchen stations. Calculate your exact take-home pay or find current line cook openings on Indeed Flex.
To succeed as a Line Cook, you'll need a mix of hard skills and soft skills. Here are the most important ones:
Here is a typical career progression for a Line Cook:
Want to see more paths? Check out our Career Path Explorer tool.
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Best For: People passionate about cooking, who handle pressure well, and want to build a culinary career.
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Arrive, change into whites, check 86 list and prep notes from morning
Set up your station - mise en place, sauces, proteins ready to fire
Pre-service line check with sous chef - taste every component, verify temps
Family meal with the team, then last-minute station tweaks
Service starts - first tickets in, set the tone for the night
Peak service - call backs, plate, expedite, repeat. Stay on temperature
Service slows - start station breakdown, label and store mise
Deep clean the line, sweep and mop, write tomorrow's prep list, clock out
Chef coat or branded shirt, checkered or black kitchen pants, slip-resistant closed-toe shoes, hat or skull cap. No jewelry on the line.
See how Line Cook pay compares across roles and locations
Different roles offer varying pay based on skill requirements and demand.
Pay rates vary by location based on cost of living and local demand.
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The information on this page is compiled from the following sources:
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.
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Source: indeedflex.com
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