Line Cooks
Median Salary: $22,900
Many line cooks across the country share a handful of key professional traits. For example, NA can be crucial for success in the industry, especially when mixed with career training. Around 19,210 folks were working as line cooks nationwide in 2009. With that much workplace competition, it's vital to cultivate these characteristics and receive formal training, particularly if you're planning to move forward in the field.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual income for line cooks in the U.S. was $22,900 in 2009, which works out to a median hourly wage of $11.00. Of course, income can vary with training and by place. Below, you'll find more data about line cooks, including wages and job density for areas all over the country.
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Below, you'll see links to more information on the top cities for this occupation (based on the number of folks working as line cooks). Note: "Job density" refers to the proportion of line cooks in each city as compared to the national average.
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery | NA | $19,000 | $9.20 | $20,300 | $9.70 | NA |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | 380 | $24,300 | $11.70 | $28,300 | $13.60 | 45.6% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fresno | 130 | $23,800 | $11.50 | $28,300 | $13.60 | 166.7% |
| Los Angeles (Area) | 910 | $26,900 | $13.00 | $33,500 | $16.10 | 15% |
| Oakland | 220 | $28,600 | $13.70 | $40,000 | $19.20 | 50.3% |
| Oxnard | 70 | $26,200 | $12.60 | $33,100 | $15.90 | 65.3% |
| Riverside | 170 | $25,500 | $12.30 | $33,500 | $16.10 | -1.4% |
| Sacramento | 110 | $24,100 | $11.60 | $27,300 | $13.10 | -14.3% |
| San Diego | 150 | $26,900 | $13.00 | $31,700 | $15.20 | -20.4% |
| San Francisco (Area) | 560 | $28,100 | $13.50 | $35,800 | $17.20 | 94.6% |
| San Francisco (City) | 340 | $27,700 | $13.30 | $31,600 | $15.20 | 138.8% |
| San Jose | 100 | $28,400 | $13.60 | $32,800 | $15.80 | -24.5% |
| Santa Rosa | 40 | $28,400 | $13.70 | $34,100 | $16.40 | 67.3% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver | 80 | $27,800 | $13.40 | $31,000 | $14.90 | -53.1% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | 200 | $30,100 | $14.50 | $37,300 | $17.90 | 218.4% |
| Hartford | 30 | $20,300 | $9.80 | $25,500 | $12.30 | -59.2% |
| New Haven | 40 | $20,400 | $9.80 | $30,600 | $14.70 | -11.6% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington (Area) | 280 | $25,900 | $12.40 | $32,300 | $15.50 | -10.2% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami (Area) | NA | $16,200 | $7.80 | $25,800 | $12.40 | NA |
| Orlando | 40 | $28,200 | $13.60 | $31,000 | $14.90 | -73.5% |
| Tampa | 50 | $29,300 | $14.10 | $31,200 | $15.00 | -71.4% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | 90 | $19,500 | $9.40 | $23,300 | $11.20 | -74.8% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champaign | 110 | $32,700 | $15.70 | $37,300 | $17.90 | 659.9% |
| Chicago (Area) | 1,270 | $23,300 | $11.20 | $30,300 | $14.60 | 44.2% |
| Peoria | 90 | $20,300 | $9.80 | $23,500 | $11.30 | 266% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Davenport | NA | $16,700 | $8.00 | $17,900 | $8.60 | NA |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington | NA | $18,700 | $9.00 | $19,900 | $9.60 | NA |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | NA | $17,700 | $8.50 | $20,100 | $9.60 | NA |
| Houma | 210 | $24,500 | $11.80 | $30,200 | $14.50 | 1395.9% |
| Lafayette | 310 | $20,900 | $10.00 | $23,400 | $11.20 | 1355.8% |
| Lake Charles | NA | $19,500 | $9.40 | $22,600 | $10.80 | NA |
| New Orleans | 210 | $20,800 | $10.00 | $23,600 | $11.40 | 183.7% |
| Shreveport | 210 | $19,900 | $9.60 | $22,600 | $10.90 | 721.1% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | 110 | $26,500 | $12.80 | $31,100 | $15.00 | -40.1% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston (Area) | NA | $31,300 | $15.10 | $39,900 | $19.20 | NA |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit (Area) | 290 | $22,000 | $10.60 | $27,900 | $13.40 | 4.8% |
| Grand Rapids | 60 | $18,800 | $9.00 | $22,900 | $11.00 | 18.4% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis | NA | $18,800 | $9.10 | $33,400 | $16.10 | NA |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport | 40 | $19,000 | $9.10 | $22,100 | $10.60 | 190.5% |
| Pascagoula | NA | $17,500 | $8.40 | $18,900 | $9.10 | NA |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | NA | $23,400 | $11.30 | $29,600 | $14.20 | NA |
| Springfield | 40 | $20,200 | $9.70 | $23,800 | $11.40 | 50.3% |
| St. Louis | 140 | $24,000 | $11.60 | $29,100 | $14.00 | -24.5% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missoula | 50 | $18,200 | $8.70 | $21,200 | $10.20 | 465.3% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | 110 | $32,000 | $15.40 | $36,600 | $17.60 | -16.3% |
| Reno | 50 | $29,000 | $14.00 | $31,700 | $15.20 | 85.7% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester | 40 | $25,700 | $12.40 | $35,300 | $17.00 | 171.4% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trenton | NA | $37,900 | $18.20 | $40,800 | $19.60 | NA |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | 40 | $28,600 | $13.80 | $32,000 | $15.40 | -38.8% |
| Buffalo | 90 | $25,700 | $12.40 | $35,100 | $16.90 | 9.5% |
| New York (Area) | 1,130 | $31,700 | $15.20 | $38,600 | $18.60 | 2% |
| Syracuse | 40 | $20,200 | $9.70 | $28,600 | $13.80 | -4.8% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | 90 | $19,700 | $9.50 | $28,800 | $13.90 | 89.8% |
| Canton | NA | $20,200 | $9.70 | $24,300 | $11.70 | NA |
| Cincinnati | 370 | $23,800 | $11.40 | $26,900 | $12.90 | 153.1% |
| Cleveland | 310 | $23,900 | $11.50 | $28,700 | $13.80 | 112.2% |
| Columbus | 120 | $26,400 | $12.70 | $30,600 | $14.70 | -11.6% |
| Dayton | 30 | $25,300 | $12.20 | $30,100 | $14.50 | -39.5% |
| Youngstown | 30 | $19,900 | $9.60 | $25,300 | $12.20 | -2.7% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland | 90 | $29,400 | $14.10 | $33,900 | $16.30 | -36.1% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | NA | $22,000 | $10.60 | $23,300 | $11.20 | NA |
| Philadelphia (Area) | NA | $25,400 | $12.20 | $29,700 | $14.30 | NA |
| Pittsburgh | NA | $19,400 | $9.30 | $22,200 | $10.70 | NA |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | NA | $23,500 | $11.30 | $26,500 | $12.70 | NA |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knoxville | 70 | $18,500 | $8.90 | $26,300 | $12.60 | 44.2% |
| Memphis | NA | $21,000 | $10.10 | $23,300 | $11.20 | NA |
| Nashville | NA | $21,700 | $10.50 | $26,400 | $12.70 | NA |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas (Area) | 90 | $22,700 | $10.90 | $26,000 | $12.50 | -69.4% |
| Houston | NA | $16,000 | $7.70 | $17,600 | $8.50 | NA |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ogden | NA | $21,500 | $10.30 | $24,200 | $11.60 | NA |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond | 30 | $35,000 | $16.80 | $38,000 | $18.30 | -63.9% |
| Virginia Beach | 30 | NA | NA | NA | NA | -70.7% |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kennewick | NA | $21,700 | $10.40 | $24,400 | $11.70 | NA |
| Mount Vernon | NA | $28,200 | $13.50 | $30,200 | $14.50 | NA |
| Seattle (Area) | 890 | $25,700 | $12.40 | $28,300 | $13.60 | 222.4% |
| Spokane | NA | $23,400 | $11.30 | $25,600 | $12.30 | NA |
| City/Area | Employees | Median Annual Salary |
Median Hourly Wage |
Top 25% Annual Salary |
Top 25% Hourly Wage |
Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee | NA | $24,300 | $11.70 | $28,100 | $13.50 | NA |