HandsOnward
Sign InBuild My Roadmap

Cooks, Private Household

Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed

Prepare meals in private homes. Includes personal chefs.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $47,940/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$36,090$91,130

Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.

Job outlook: +5.1% projected growth, 20242034 — about as fast as average.

About 5,300 openings per year, on average, over the decade.

Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.

Top skills
Critical ThinkingService OrientationSocial PerceptivenessActive ListeningReading ComprehensionSpeakingComplex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision MakingMonitoringTime Management
Top knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceFood ProductionSales and MarketingAdministration and ManagementMathematicsProduction and ProcessingEnglish LanguageEconomics and Accounting
Core tasks

Peel, wash, trim, and cook vegetables and meats, and bake breads and pastries.

Cool, package, label, and freeze foods for later consumption and provide instructions for reheating.

Plan menus according to employers' needs and diet restrictions.

Shop for or order food and kitchen supplies and equipment.

Prepare meals in private homes according to employers' recipes or tastes, handling all meals for the family and possibly for other household staff.

Keep records pertaining to menus, finances, and other business-related issues.

Stock, organize, and clean kitchens and cooking utensils.

Direct the operation and organization of kitchens and all food-related activities, including the presentation and serving of food.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Cooks, Private Household?

The median pay for Cooks, Private Household is $47,940 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Cooks, Private Household?

Employment for Cooks, Private Household is projected to change +5.1% from 2024 to 2034 - about as fast as average.

What education is typically required for Cooks, Private Household?

Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.

How many job openings are there each year for Cooks, Private Household?

About 5,300 openings per year, on average, over the decade.