Chef / Cook Jobs in San Diego

43 positions available in San Diego. Defense, life sciences, tourism, and a large services and trades economy

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Line Cook/Prep Cook

USThe Mob Squad • San Diego, CA, US

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$41,600 - $45,760
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Line Cook

USNishiki Ramen Kearny Mesa • San Diego, CA, US

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$35,360 - $43,680

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Line Cook

USScout Distribution • San Diego, CA, US

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~ $45,000 - $79,400
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Cook

USHightechhigh • San Diego, California

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~ $45,000 - $79,400
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Junior Sous Chef (The Restaurant at JUSTIN) - Paso Robles

USThe Wonderful Company • San Diego, CA, United States

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~ $38,100 - $59,800
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Experienced Prep Cook - Daytime Shifts

USKINDRED • San Diego, CA, US

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$47,840 - $52,000
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Related Roles in San Diego

Bartender Truck Driver Warehouse Worker HVAC Technician Teacher

Chef / Cook in Other Cities

Irvine (CA) Long Beach (CA) Los Angeles (CA) Pasadena (CA) Henderson (NV) Las Vegas (NV) Glendale (AZ) Phoenix (AZ) Scottsdale (AZ) Chandler (AZ)
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What Does a Chef / Cook Do?

Chefs plan menus, prepare meals, and oversee kitchen operations in restaurants or food service facilities. They manage food quality, train staff, control costs, and ensure compliance with food safety standards.

Chef / Cook Salary in San Diego

The median salary for a Chef / Cook in San Diego is $59,785 per year. The range is $45K - $79K (P10: $38,057, P90: $104,182). (BLS OEWS 2025) Typical US salary range: $45K - $85K. In Europe: €30K - €55K. Cost of living in San Diego is very high compared to other cities.

Most In-Demand Skills

Culinary Skills Menu Planning Kitchen Management Food Safety Staff Supervision Cost Control

The San Diego Job Market

Defense, life sciences, tourism, and a large services and trades economy. Defense and life sciences lead, alongside a large tourism, healthcare, and trades economy.

Top industries: Defense & Aerospace, Life Sciences, Tourism & Hospitality, Healthcare & Trades.

Mix of public transit and sprawl; remote biotech and aerospace roles are expanding rapidly.

Career Path & 2026 Trends

Chefs advance to head chef, executive chef, or restaurant manager roles; some open their own restaurants or transition to food media and education. Culinary work in 2026 emphasizes sustainability, farm-to-table practices, and diverse cuisines; specialized skills command premium compensation.

Interview Tip

Describe a signature dish or menu you created—explain your culinary philosophy, ingredient selection, and how it resonated with your diners.

How to Find a Chef / Cook Job in San Diego?

iampro.io aggregates listings from 40+ sources (Indeed, LinkedIn, and more) and uses AI to analyze each posting against your profile. With 43 current Chef / Cook listings in San Diego, you get honest match scores, red flag detection, and personalized CV advice — all for free.

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