6322-NOC

Cooks

(NOC 63200)
Annual Earnings
$37,541
Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities
College Diploma or Apprenticeship, less than 2 years
Job Openings
(2023-2033)
8,790

Career Overview

Preparing, cooking, as well as presenting meals and specialty foods is a big part of this job. Cooks may also oversee staff, plan menus or manage kitchen activities. They may work under the direction of dietitians or chefs. Cooks work in a wide range of establishments that serve food, from restaurants to hospitals to food trucks. Cooks need to know about safety, sanitation and food storage regulations, as well as other best practices.

Cooks should be organized, able to work under pressure and enjoy working with their hands. It is important to have good communication skills since cooks often work with other kitchen and wait staff.

Apprentice cooks are included in this career.

Duties

In general, cooks:

  • Prepare and cook meals and individual dishes, including ethnic cuisine or specialty dishes
  • Clean kitchen and work area
  • Set up and oversee buffets
  • Plan menus, determine size of food portions, estimate food requirements and costs, and monitor and order supplies
  • Maintain inventory and records of food, supplies and equipment

In addition, cooks may:

  • Prepare and cook special meals for patients as instructed by a dietitian
  • Oversee kitchen operations
  • Schedule and supervise kitchen staff
  • Hire, train and fire kitchen staff

Earnings

Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.

Annual Earnings

$37,541

Provincial Hourly Rate

High$24.00/hr
Median$18.00/hr
Low$16.75/hr
Source: B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from 2023 Job Bank Wage data

Work Environment

# Workers Employed

22,325

% Employed Full Time

27%
Source: 2021 Census

Cooks work full-time, part-time, on contract or on call. The hours may include early mornings, late evenings, weekends and holidays. The work may also be seasonal, especially at resorts.

Cooks work in a wide range of establishments that serve food including restaurants, cafes, diners, hotels, resorts, hospitals, schools and other educational facilities. They may also work on cruise ships, for catering companies or in food trucks. Many large restaurants and institutional kitchens have modern equipment, convenient work areas and air conditioning. Older, smaller establishments may have less comfortable work settings. Kitchens must be clean, well ventilated, appropriately lit and properly equipped with sprinkler systems to protect against fires.

Sometimes, cooks must work in small places and may be surrounded by other kitchen staff during busy periods. They must be able to lift heavy objects, work near hot ovens and grills, and stand for long periods of time.

Cooks usually work under time pressure and must make sure they follow quality, safety and sanitation guidelines. Safety is key for cooks because there are many risks in the kitchen, including slipping, falling, cuts and burns.

Career Pathways

There are many ways for cooks to take on more senior roles. With experience and training, a cook can move to a supervisory or more senior position, such as chef. Some cooks may also choose to open their own restaurant or food truck.

Occupational Interests

It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.

For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.

Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:

Realistic
Realistic

Job Titles

Apprentice cook
Cook
Dietary cook
First cook
Grill cook
Hospital cook
Institutional cook
Journeyman/woman cook
Licensed cook
Line cook
Second cook
Short order cook

Education, Training and Skills

Education, training and qualifications vary depending on the employer. Completion of secondary school may be required. Other training may include a cooking, culinary arts or related program, although on-the-job training may also be provided.

Trade certification for cooks is available through SkilledTradesBC but is not mandatory for employment. Certification is not required to work as a cook in B.C. Those who wish to be certified must complete a three-year apprenticeship program.

Apprenticeship programs

Work experience and in-class instruction are part of apprenticeship programs. Some part-time and online programs may be available. To apprentice, workers must be sponsored by an employer. A person who successfully completes an apprenticeship program and the final certification exam earns a Certificate of Qualification. Workers with significant experience in the trade may be able to challenge the certification exam to earn the Certificate of Qualification without completing a formal apprenticeship. For more information on earning a Certificate of Qualification, visit SkilledTradesBC.

To work in other provinces

Cooks may need Red Seal certification to work in other provinces. This can be earned by passing an exam and proving significant work experience.

Workers coming to B.C.

Cooks who are certified by a regulator elsewhere in Canada can apply for the same certification from the regulator in B.C. Under the terms of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), most applicants who are transferring their credentials from elsewhere in Canada will not be required to complete additional training or testing. However, the B.C. regulator may ask applicants to provide further information, such as a letter of good standing, references or a criminal record check.

Workers who trained outside of Canada

Cooks who trained outside of Canada and have never received certification from a Canadian jurisdiction will likely need a full assessment. Most occupational regulators have a process for assessment and recognize internationally trained applicants. Contact SkilledTradesBC for details on how to apply for certification in B.C.

For information about labour mobility in Canada, visit workersmobility.ca.

View a list of Professional Regulatory Authorities in B.C.

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

  • Baking/Cooking/Chef Training
EducationPlannerBC Logo
Find out more information about programs offered specifically for this career.

Skills

Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.

Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.

See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

51%
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

51%
Monitoring

Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

50%
Speaking

Talking to others to share information effectively.

50%
Time Management

Managing one’s own time and the time of others.

50%
Coordination

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

49%
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

48%
Service Orientation

Actively looking for ways to help people.

48%
Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

47%
Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

47%

Labour Market Statistics

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Employment

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

Employment

22,325
Source: 2021 Census

Employment by Region

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Employment % Employment of this Occupation
Cariboo 625 2.8%
Kootenay 845 3.8%
Mainland/Southwest 12,770 57.2%
North Coast and Nechako 415 1.9%
Northeast 320 1.4%
Thompson-Okanagan 2,980 13.4%
Vancouver Island/Coast 4,365 19.6%
Source: 2021 Census

Labour Market Outlook

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Forecasted Job Openings (2023-2033)

8,790
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Forecasted Job Openings

Forecasted Employment Growth Rate

Composition of Job Openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job Openings by Region (2023-2033)

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Job Openings Avg. Annual Employment Growth
Cariboo 140 0.1%
Kootenay 300 1.3%
Mainland/Southwest 5,720 1.4%
North Coast and Nechako 120 1.4%
Northeast 120 0.9%
Thompson-Okanagan 990 1.0%
Vancouver Island/Coast 1,420 1.2%
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Industry Highlights

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

Forecasted Job Openings by Industry

IndustryJob Openings (2023-2033)
Accommodation And Food Services7,160
Health Care And Social Assistance880
Retail Trade180
Information, Culture And Recreation150
Manufacturing100
For additional industry information, visit the Industry Profiles page.
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Insights from Industry

The job of a cook has changed over the last 10 years. A cook can be a worker who makes simple meals or someone who runs a food truck offering specialty cuisine. Cooks who keep up with new food trends and consumer demand often have more employment opportunities. Food trucks have recently become popular and some cooks prefer to run a food truck than work in a more traditional restaurant.

It’s important to build good relationships with other cooks, kitchen workers and suppliers. A supportive industry where cooks and other kitchen professionals help each other is the key to success for the cook and the restaurant.

Cooks can be trained by going to culinary school or they can be trained on-the-job. There are opportunities to gain experience and learn cooking skills by working in different cities and in a variety of kitchens.

Some cooks use social media to become known. They use popular social media networks, such as Instagram, to share new dishes and skills. By growing a social media community and fan base, some cooks open their careers to write food-focused articles or books, or appear on cooking shows.

Resources