Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Postsecondary nondegree award
Less than 5 years
None
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Cooks in private households prepare food in residential settings rather than in commercial kitchens. This role can appeal to people who enjoy working closely with individuals or families and want to use their culinary abilities in more personalized environments. Nationally, there are 34,000 people employed in this occupation, with a national median annual salary of $44,530. Employment is projected to grow by 5.1%, with about 5,000 annual openings, indicating ongoing replacement and growth needs. The role draws on a wide mix of abilities, including project management, fine motor skills, creativity and innovation, physical strength and stamina, and interpersonal and customer service skills. Cooks in private households may also use science, mathematics, mechanical aptitude, and adaptability in their work. For people comparing options, related paths include restaurant cooks, bakers, floral designers, craft artists, and photographic process workers and processing machine operators. Overall, this occupation offers a defined career path with measurable employment and growth prospects.
The national median annual salary for cooks in private households is $44,530. This figure provides a central reference point for evaluating earning potential in the field. Within specific locations, pay can vary. For example, in New York state, the median salary for this occupation is $37,440, which is lower than the national median. This difference highlights how geography can influence earnings for the same occupation. New York’s salary level should be interpreted alongside its other characteristics, such as employment and growth, when evaluating opportunities there. Since only one state salary figure is provided, detailed comparison across multiple states is not possible, but the contrast between the national median and New York’s median illustrates that wages are not uniform nationwide. Individuals can use the national median as a benchmark when assessing offers or comparing this path with similar occupations such as restaurant cooks or bakers.
Cooks in private households currently account for 34,000 jobs across the country. Employment in this occupation is projected to grow by 5.1%, and there are an estimated 5,000 annual openings. These numbers indicate a combination of new positions and the need to fill existing roles that become vacant. The projected growth rate of 5.1% also appears in New York state, suggesting consistent expectations there relative to the national projection. While detailed regional projections are not available for every state or metro area, the national figures provide a useful picture of future demand. The presence of thousands of annual openings means that people entering this field or considering a change from related paths—such as restaurant cooks, bakers, floral designers, craft artists, or photographic process workers and processing machine operators—can expect ongoing hiring activity. Overall, the data points to a stable occupation with measurable, forward-looking employment prospects.
Location can shape the opportunity landscape for cooks in private households. Nationally, the occupation counts 34,000 employed workers, but specific areas differ in salary levels, employment size, and opportunity scores. Among states, New York stands out in the data provided. It has a median salary of $37,440 for this occupation, state employment of 140, and a projected growth rate of 5.1%. New York’s CareerGPS opportunity score is 65.78, indicating that, within the CareerGPS framework, it offers a relatively strong combination of factors for this occupation. The median salary in New York is lower than the national median of $44,530, yet the state still ranks highly by opportunity score, showing that salary is only one part of the overall picture. No specific metro areas are listed, so metro-level comparisons are not possible here. Job seekers can use the contrast between the national figures and New York’s detailed data to understand how pay, employment scale, and growth interact in a single state market.
The typical education requirement for cooks in private households is a postsecondary nondegree award. This indicates that some formal training beyond high school is common, but a full degree is not typically required. Within this educational path, a broad set of skills is relevant to success in the role. Project management skills support planning and coordinating tasks. Fine motor abilities are important for precise work. Creativity and innovation contribute to developing and presenting food in appealing ways. Physical strength and stamina can be important in physically demanding aspects of the job. Interpersonal and customer service skills support close work with household members. Science and mathematics may be used in aspects of preparation and measurement, while mechanical skills and adaptability help with tools, equipment, and changing needs. Together, the education level and skill profile suggest a hands-on career that blends technical training with a wide range of practical abilities.
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