Cooks Salary
Median salary £17,885 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.
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
Median Salary
£17,885
Mean Salary
£18,252
Jobs (000s)
39k
Data Years
11 years
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)
All Employees
£17,885
Full-time Only
£24,228
Full-time premium: +£6,343
Cooks salary: common questions
How much do cooks earn in the UK?
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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).
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