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Occupation · SOC 35-2019

Cooks, All Other

There are 19,350 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $37,690 a year. The most jobs are in Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TX.

Food ServiceTypical education: No formal educational credential
19,350
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$37,690
Median pay a year
Middle half: $32,150–$43,680
2,800
Annual openings
10-year change: +5.2%
No formal educational credential
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 58 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $35,500 · LCA filings 01,810$35,5000
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $42,860 · LCA filings 01,120$42,8600
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $38,850 · LCA filings 01,040$38,8500
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $27,900 · LCA filings 0860$27,9000
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $42,630 · LCA filings 0830$42,6300
Nashville–Davidson––Murfreesboro––Franklin, TNMedian pay $33,220 · LCA filings 0700$33,2200
Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos, TXMedian pay $35,070 · LCA filings 0420$35,0700
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZMedian pay $46,960 · LCA filings 0400$46,9600
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $31,880 · LCA filings 0380$31,8800
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $42,890 · LCA filings 0300$42,8900

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Burlington–South Burlington, VTEmployment 80 · LCA filings 0$57,320800
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployment 80 · LCA filings 0$53,910800
Las Vegas–Henderson–North Las Vegas, NVEmployment 290 · LCA filings 0$51,2202900
Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$49,780400
Santa Rosa–Petaluma, CAEmployment 180 · LCA filings 0$47,8401800

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $32,198 · Level III $34,715 · Level IV $37,253$29,661$32,198$34,715$37,253
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $44,512 · Level III $46,592 · Level IV $48,651$42,453$44,512$46,592$48,651
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $39,395 · Level III $42,182 · Level IV $44,970$36,608$39,395$42,182$44,970
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $29,702 · Level III $32,573 · Level IV $35,464$26,811$29,702$32,573$35,464
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $40,706 · Level III $44,907 · Level IV $49,088$36,525$40,706$44,907$49,088
Nashville–Davidson––Murfreesboro––Franklin, TNLevel II $26,915 · Level III $31,886 · Level IV $36,837$21,965$26,915$31,886$36,837
Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos, TXLevel II $32,344 · Level III $36,275 · Level IV $40,206$28,413$32,344$36,275$40,206
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZLevel II $42,099 · Level III $46,114 · Level IV $50,128$38,085$42,099$46,114$50,128
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $35,402 · Level III $39,707 · Level IV $44,013$31,096$35,402$39,707$44,013
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $37,398 · Level III $42,744 · Level IV $48,090$32,053$37,398$42,744$48,090

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Culinary Arts and Related ServicesCIP 12.05OPT · up to 12 months381OPT · up to 12 months

See Cooks, All Other in every metro area

All 58 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Food Service

Fast Food and Counter WorkersWaiters and WaitressesCooks, RestaurantFirst-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving WorkersFood Preparation WorkersBartendersHosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee ShopDining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology