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Occupation · SOC 35-2014

Cooks, Restaurant

There are 1,409,890 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $37,390 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

Food ServiceTypical education: No formal educational credential
1,409,890
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$37,390
Median pay a year
Middle half: $34,010–$44,620
218,600
Annual openings
10-year change: +12.1%
1
LCA filings, last 4 quarters
One employer filed 100% of them

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 391 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $43,740 · LCA filings 069,250$43,7400
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $44,460 · LCA filings 054,320$44,4600
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $38,930 · LCA filings 041,690$38,9300
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $36,920 · LCA filings 037,210$36,9200
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $36,490 · LCA filings 134,430$36,4901
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $35,050 · LCA filings 032,710$35,0500
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $42,920 · LCA filings 029,670$42,9200
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $37,230 · LCA filings 029,040$37,2300
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $38,270 · LCA filings 024,220$38,2700
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $45,830 · LCA filings 022,900$45,8300

Metro areas with the highest median pay

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

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Kahului–Wailuku, HIEmployment 1,770 · LCA filings 0$49,5601,7700
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployment 20,850 · LCA filings 0$47,73020,8500
Napa, CAEmployment 1,270 · LCA filings 0$47,3201,2700
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 8,900 · LCA filings 0$47,1708,9000
Barnstable Town, MAEmployment 1,760 · LCA filings 0$46,9301,7600

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 34,4301134,430

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
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $38,979 · Level III $43,139 · Level IV $47,320$34,798$38,979$43,139$47,320
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $41,246 · Level III $44,720 · Level IV $48,214$37,752$41,246$44,720$48,214
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $37,190 · Level III $40,414 · Level IV $43,659$33,946$37,190$40,414$43,659
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $34,382 · Level III $38,272 · Level IV $42,141$30,514$34,382$38,272$42,141
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $32,074 · Level III $35,818 · Level IV $39,562$28,330$32,074$35,818$39,562
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $29,245 · Level III $32,926 · Level IV $36,629$25,542$29,245$32,926$36,629
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $38,896 · Level III $42,557 · Level IV $46,218$35,235$38,896$42,557$46,218
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $31,782 · Level III $35,734 · Level IV $39,707$27,810$31,782$35,734$39,707
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $34,923 · Level III $38,917 · Level IV $42,931$30,909$34,923$38,917$42,931
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $41,683 · Level III $45,843 · Level IV $49,982$37,544$41,683$45,843$49,982

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, Restaurant in every metro area

All 391 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 WaitressesFirst-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving WorkersFood Preparation WorkersBartendersHosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee ShopDining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender HelpersCooks, Fast Food

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