Cooks, Private Household salary in the U.S.
Cooks, Private Household in the U.S. earn a median of $47,940 a year ($23.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,100 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,130 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $53,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, private household in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,090 | $17.35 |
| 25th percentile | $40,630 | $19.54 |
| Median | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| 75th percentile | $55,450 | $26.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,130 | $43.81 |
| Average (mean) | $53,680 | $25.81 |
Half of cooks, private household earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,995 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,997.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,843.85 |
| Weekly | $921.92 |
| Hourly | $23.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cooks, Private Household salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $37,440 | 140 |
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,390 | $17.98 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,320 | $16.98 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $30,890 | $14.85 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $37,450 | $18.01 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $35,880 | $17.25 |
| Cooks, All Other | $37,690 | $18.12 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $35,230 | $16.94 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $44,080 | $21.19 |
| Bartender | $34,340 | $16.51 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $33,980 | $16.34 |
| Dishwasher | $34,810 | $16.73 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $35,360 | $17.00 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2013. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cooks, private household make in the U.S.?
The median salary for cooks, private household in the U.S. is $47,940 a year, or $23.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, private household make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of cooks, private household in the U.S. earn at least $91,130 a year. The top 25% earn $55,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, private household in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,090 a year, and a quarter of cooks, private household earn $40,630 or less.
How many cooks, private household work in the U.S.?
About 1,100 cooks, private household are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.