Cook Salary UK
Cooks in the UK earn a median salary of £17,885 a year (ONS ASHE 2025, gross pay, all employee jobs), and the middle half earn between £12,752 and £22,817. The figures cover the ONS occupation group “Cooks” (SOC 5435).
Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £18,000 after tax and National Insurance →
For cooks, £24,228 is the typical (median) pay. That is well below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -38% versus the national average. Experienced cooks (top 25%) earn over £22,817.
About this role
Cooks prepare, cook and present food to established recipes and quality standards. They manage kitchen operations, maintain food safety and hygiene, develop menus and ensure consistent food quality in commercial catering environments.
Key responsibilities
- Preparing and cooking food to recipe specifications and quality standards
- Managing kitchen operations, stock and food ordering
- Ensuring compliance with food safety and hygiene regulations
- Developing and testing new menu items
- Training and supervising kitchen team members
Qualifications and entry routes
Typically enters through an apprenticeship, college course (City & Guilds/NVQ) or on-the-job training. Food Safety Level 2/3 certification is mandatory. Higher-level roles benefit from culinary qualifications and extensive experience.
Career outlook
Persistent recruitment difficulties across the sector. Experienced chefs are in high demand, particularly in fine dining and specialist cuisine.
Key skills
Common industries
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Contract catering
- Hospitals and schools
- Food manufacturing
Data coverage
Salary Range (2025)
Estimated Career Progression
Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation
Entry Level
£9,000
0-2 years
Mid Level
£12,752
3-7 years
Senior
£22,817
8-15 years
Potential career growth: ▲ +154% from entry to leadership
Salary Trend (2015-2025)
Gender Pay Comparison (2025)
Full-time vs All Employees (2025)
Full-time premium: +£6,343
Cook salary: common questions
How much do cooks earn in the UK?
Is £24,228 a good salary in the UK?
What is the starting salary for cooks?
Have cooks salaries kept up with inflation?
Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025). How the figures are built: salary data methodology.