Occupations · Food Preparation and Serving

Cooks, Private Household

Prepare meals in private homes. Includes personal chefs.

O*NET 30.3 Database (USDOL/ETA) · occupation code 35-2013.00

$44,530median annual wage, May 2024

900people employed, United States

▲ 5.1%projected change, 2024→2034

5,300openings a year, incl. replacements

What it pays

A single “average salary” hides the spread. This is the whole distribution — the gap between the bottom and top bar is usually the number that matters.

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 · national, cross-industry · annual wage

Pay over time

Median up 127% between 2004 and 2024, before inflation. The band shows the 10th to 90th percentile.

BLS OEWS, one release per year. Before May 2011 only national estimates were published, so geography detail starts there.

Typical education to enter: Postsecondary nondegree award · BLS Employment Projections 2024–34

What people in this job actually do

Ordered by how important the work is rated.

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.
Specialize in preparing fancy dishes or food for special diets.
Direct the operation and organization of kitchens and all food-related activities, including the presentation and serving of food.
Plan and prepare food for parties, holiday meals, luncheons, special functions, and other social events.
Create and explore new cuisines.
Serve meals and snacks to employing families and their guests.

O*NET 30.3 task ratings, importance scale

Skills that matter most

Importance, rated 1 to 5.

Critical Thinking3.2

Reading Comprehension3.0

Active Listening3.0

Speaking3.0

Monitoring3.0

Writing2.9

Active Learning2.9

Learning Strategies2.8

Mathematics2.2

Science1.4

O*NET 30.3 skills, importance scale

Software and tools

A dot marks what O*NET flags as in demand.

Intuit QuickBooks●WordPress●APPCA Personal Chef OfficeCooking e-booksCost tracking softwareEmail softwareFood inventory softwareWeb browser softwareWork scheduling softwareYouTube

O*NET 30.3 software skills · hot-technology flag

What this work is actually like

Conditions rated against the average across all occupations — only what makes this job different is listed.

3 / 5Medium preparation — vocational training or an associate degree, plus 1–2 years of work.

O*NET 30.3 Job Zones

Working conditions that stand out

Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team−1.8 below average

Spend Time Standing+1.7 above average

Spend Time Sitting−1.6 below average

Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities−1.5 below average

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls+1.3 above average

Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings+1.2 above average

Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People−1.0 below average

O*NET 30.3 work context, frequency scale · observed 2023-08

How people actually get in

Share of workers by the education they hold.

Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)38%

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)31%

Less than a High School Diploma15%

Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)12%

O*NET 30.2 education, training and experience · observed 2023-08

What kind of person the work suits

Occupational interest profile, rated 1 to 7.

Realistic5.0

Social3.8

Artistic3.8

O*NET 30.2 occupational interests (RIASEC)

Tasks O*NET flags as emerging

Cool, package, label, and freeze foods for later consumption and provide instructions for reheating.
Keep records pertaining to menus, finances, and other business-related issues.

O*NET 20.3 emerging tasks

What you take with you

Skills rated for how well they transfer into other occupations.

Service Orientation3.1

Complex Problem Solving3.0

Judgment and Decision Making3.0

Social Perceptiveness3.0

Time Management3.0

Coordination2.9

Management of Material Resources2.9

Persuasion2.8

O*NET 30.3 transferable skills, importance scale

Knowledge the work draws on

Customer and Personal ServiceFood ProductionSales and MarketingAdministration and ManagementProduction and ProcessingMathematics

Abilities it leans on

Near VisionProblem SensitivityFluency of IdeasInformation OrderingFinger DexterityManual Dexterity

O*NET 30.3 abilities and knowledge, importance scale

How this job is advertised

The same work is posted under many titles — this is what to search for.

CookDinner CookCooking ChefPrivate ChefPersonal ChefCulinary ChefHousehold CookCulinary WorkerCulinary ArtistCulinary SpecialistHoliday Food PrepperPersonal Private ChefPrivate Executive ChefPersonal Certified Chef (PCC)

O*NET 30.3 job titles reported for this occupation

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O*NET 30.3 related occupations

Also called

CookChefDinner CookCooking ChefPrivate ChefCulinary ChefPersonal ChefHousehold CookCulinary WorkerCulinary ArtistCulinary SpecialistHoliday Food Prepper

O*NET 30.3 alternative titles

The same work in Europe

ESCO occupation	ISCO	Match
private chef	3434.1.3	exact
chef	3434.1	close
cook	5120.1	broader
diet cook	5120.1.1	broader

Official ESCO ↔ O*NET crosswalk (ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA)

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