# What is the salary of a cook in India?

> A cook in India earns ₹20,000–₹40,000 per month in 2026. Home cook (daily 2-meal, veg only) ₹8,000–₹15,000 per household; full-time cook ₹20,000–₹28,000/month; live-in cook ₹28,000–₹40,000+. Metros add 25–30%.

**Source:** [https://solve24.in/answers/cook-salary-in-india](https://solve24.in/answers/cook-salary-in-india)  
**Updated:** 2026-07-03  
**Trade:** cook  

## Answer

Cook earnings in India depend heavily on the arrangement. A part-time home cook doing two meals a day for one household earns ₹4,000–₹7,000/month from that household — but usually serves 3–5 households for a total of ₹15,000–₹28,000/month.

A full-time (non-live-in) cook working for one family for 8–10 hours a day earns ₹20,000–₹28,000/month at base city rates. Live-in cooks (staying with the family, cooking all meals) earn ₹28,000–₹40,000/month plus food and accommodation. Senior cooks with 8+ years of experience and speciality (regional cuisine, dietary needs, party catering skills) earn ₹40,000+/month.

Party/event cooks bill per event: ₹3,000–₹8,000 for a 20-person party (labour only, ingredients separate). A senior cook doing 8–10 events/month during the wedding/festival season easily clears ₹40,000–₹60,000.

Metros: Mumbai and Bangalore add ~30%. A live-in cook in Mumbai commonly earns ₹36,400–₹52,000/month.

## Data

**Cook salary by experience level, India (2026)**

| Experience | Monthly (₹) | Per-day rate (₹) | Typical work |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 0–1 year (apprentice) | ₹20,000–₹28,000 | 700–980 | Assists senior, learns on job |
| 1–3 years | ₹26,000–₹24,500 | 980–900 | Basic jobs independently |
| 3–7 years | ₹24,500–₹35,000 | 900–1275 | All standard jobs, some team lead |
| 7+ years (senior) | ₹35,000–₹40,000+ | 1275–1500+ | Complex jobs, contracts, own team |

**Cook salary by city, India (2026)**

| City | Junior (₹/month) | Mid-career (₹/month) | Senior (₹/month) | Per-day rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Mumbai | ₹26,000–₹27,300 | ₹27,300–₹45,500 | ₹52,000+ | ₹910–₹1,950 |
| Delhi | ₹25,000–₹26,250 | ₹26,250–₹43,750 | ₹50,000+ | ₹875–₹1,875 |
| Bangalore | ₹26,000–₹27,300 | ₹27,300–₹45,500 | ₹52,000+ | ₹910–₹1,950 |
| Hyderabad | ₹23,000–₹24,150 | ₹24,150–₹40,250 | ₹46,000+ | ₹805–₹1,725 |
| Chennai | ₹23,000–₹24,150 | ₹24,150–₹40,250 | ₹46,000+ | ₹805–₹1,725 |
| Pune | ₹24,000–₹25,200 | ₹25,200–₹42,000 | ₹48,000+ | ₹840–₹1,800 |
| Kolkata | ₹20,000–₹21,000 | ₹21,000–₹35,000 | ₹40,000+ | ₹700–₹1,500 |
| Ahmedabad | ₹21,000–₹22,050 | ₹22,050–₹36,750 | ₹42,000+ | ₹735–₹1,575 |
| Jaipur | ₹19,000–₹19,950 | ₹19,950–₹33,250 | ₹38,000+ | ₹665–₹1,425 |
| Lucknow | ₹18,000–₹18,900 | ₹18,900–₹31,500 | ₹36,000+ | ₹630–₹1,350 |
| Chandigarh | ₹21,000–₹22,050 | ₹22,050–₹36,750 | ₹42,000+ | ₹735–₹1,575 |
| Indore | ₹18,000–₹18,900 | ₹18,900–₹31,500 | ₹36,000+ | ₹630–₹1,350 |
| Bhopal | ₹17,000–₹17,850 | ₹17,850–₹29,750 | ₹34,000+ | ₹595–₹1,275 |
| Patna | ₹17,000–₹17,850 | ₹17,850–₹29,750 | ₹34,000+ | ₹595–₹1,275 |
| Nagpur | ₹18,000–₹18,900 | ₹18,900–₹31,500 | ₹36,000+ | ₹630–₹1,350 |
| Kanpur | ₹17,000–₹17,850 | ₹17,850–₹29,750 | ₹34,000+ | ₹595–₹1,275 |
| Ranchi | ₹18,000–₹18,900 | ₹18,900–₹31,500 | ₹36,000+ | ₹630–₹1,350 |
| Coimbatore | ₹20,000–₹21,000 | ₹21,000–₹35,000 | ₹40,000+ | ₹700–₹1,500 |
| Vijayawada | ₹18,000–₹18,900 | ₹18,900–₹31,500 | ₹36,000+ | ₹630–₹1,350 |

## Frequently asked

### What is the average cook salary in Mumbai?

Mumbai part-time cook (per household): ₹5,200–₹9,100/month. Full-time non-live-in: ₹26,000–₹36,400/month. Live-in: ₹36,400–₹52,000+/month.

### How much does a party cook charge per event?

₹3,000–₹8,000 for a 20-person party (labour only). Non-veg or elaborate menus at the higher end. Ingredients purchased separately by the client or reimbursed at cost.

### Do cooks earn more with speciality skills?

Yes. Regional cuisine specialists (South Indian, Bengali, Rajasthani), dietary specialists (Jain, vegan, keto), and party catering cooks earn 30–50% more.

### What is a live-in cook's monthly cost?

₹28,000–₹40,000/month cash + food + accommodation. Senior live-in cook in a metro: ₹40,000–₹60,000/month cash.

### How many households does a part-time cook typically serve?

3–5 households at 1–2 hours each. Total monthly income across households: ₹15,000–₹28,000. Multi-household part-time model is standard in Indian metros.

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