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Entry Level Line Cook Salary in the United States

How much does an Entry Level Line Cook make in the United States? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Entry Level Line Cook in the United States is $39,734 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $19.

However, an Entry Level Line Cook's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $51,151
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $36,068 to $45,710
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $32,729
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Entry Level Line Cook Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Entry Level Line Cook Salaries

An Entry Level Line Cook's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Entry Level Line Cook Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Entry Level Line Cook's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $38,489
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $43,777
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $53,311
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $64,478
  • Expert (over 8 years): $64,307
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Line Cook less than 1 year $38,489
Contact Center Representative II - Outbound 1-2 years $43,777
Contact Center Representative III - Outbound 2-4 years $53,311
Contact Center Representative IV - Outbound 5-8 years $64,478
Outbound Contact Center Supervisor over 8 years $64,307

How Do Entry Level Line Cook Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Entry Level Line Cooks. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $43,994.
  • California: $43,827.
  • Massachusetts: $43,243.

Top Paying Cities for Entry Level Line Cook

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $50,117
  • San Francisco: $49,568
  • Oakland: $48,524

Entry Level Line Cook Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Entry Level Line Cook roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Entry Level Line Cook positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Entry Level Line Cook as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Entry Level Line Cook

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense $43,708 $21.0 10%
Biotechnology $43,708 $21.0 10%
Business Services $43,708 $21.0 10%
Chemicals $43,708 $21.0 10%
Construction $43,708 $21.0 10%

How Education impacts an Entry Level Line Cook's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Entry Level Line Cook professionals enter the field with a high school degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Entry Level Line Cook with a high school is between $34,214 and $37,564.

Entry Level Line Cook Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Entry Level Line Cook
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 3.8%
High School 30.2%
Associate's Degree 20.8%
Bachelor's Degree 37.7%
Master's Degree or MBA 7.5%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 0%
View as Graph

Entry Level Line Cook Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Entry Level Line Cook's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$36,068
Average $39,734/year
$45,710
$3,006
Average $3,311/month
$3,809
$694
Average $764/week
$879
$17
Average $19/hour
$22
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $45,710 $3,809 $879 $22
Average $39,734 $3,311 $764 $19
25th Percentile $36,068 $3,006 $694 $17

Most common benefits for Entry Level Line Cook

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Entry Level Line Cook

Here are companies hiring for Entry Level Line Cook and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Entry Level Line Cook Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Entry Level Line Cook job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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    Vice President Payments Engineering

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    Senior Vice President of Project Delivery

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

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    USPS Postal Workers

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    The United States Postal Service (USPS) is seeking Mail Carriers and City Carrier Assistants (CCA) to deliver mail and packages to residential and business... more

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FAQ about Entry Level Line Cook

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Entry Level Line Cook?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Entry Level Line Cook roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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