Cooks, Private Household
SOC code 35-2013 · O*NET-SOC 35-2013.00 · Medium preparation needed · Food service and hospitality
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Cooks, Private Household pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$47,940
a year
Hourly
$23.05
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$53,680
$25.81 per hour
Middle 50%
$40,630 – $55,450
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$36,090 – $91,130
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
1,100
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $36,090
- $17.35/hr
- 25th percentile
- $40,630
- $19.54/hr
- Median percentile
- $47,940
- $23.05/hr
- 75th percentile
- $55,450
- $26.66/hr
- 90th percentile
- $91,130
- $43.81/hr
What do cooks, private household do?
Prepare meals in private homes. Includes personal chefs.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold post-secondary certificate — 38% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 3 — Medium preparation needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Post-Secondary Certificate38%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)31%
- Less than a High School Diploma15%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree12%
Common questions
How much does a cooks, private household earn?
The national median is $47,940 a year. The full range runs from $36,090 at the 10th percentile to $91,130 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a cooks, private household without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 3, meaning the typical entry route is most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Critical Thinking3.3/5
- Reading Comprehension3.0/5
- Active Listening3.0/5
- Speaking3.0/5
- Monitoring3.0/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service4.6/5
- Food Production4.1/5
- Sales and Marketing3.7/5
- Administration and Management3.1/5
- Production and Processing3.0/5
- Mathematics3.0/5
- English Language2.9/5
- Economics and Accounting2.6/5
Transferable strengths: Service Orientation, Social Perceptiveness, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Time Management.