Home > Salary > New Zealand > Prep Cook
A prep cook is responsible for assisting in the preparation of food items in a restaurant or food service establishment. They work under the supervision of a chef or head cook and are primarily responsible for prepping ingredients, such as chopping vegetables, cutting meat, and measuring spices. Prep cooks also assist in preparing sauces, marinades, and dressings, as well as assembling and garnishing dishes. They may be involved in basic cooking tasks, such as boiling pasta or frying appetizers.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 48,181 NZD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 4,015 NZD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 927 NZD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 23 NZD per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 3,874 NZD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 894 NZD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 22 NZD per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-02
Estimated Yearly Salary: 24,099 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 2,008 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 463 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 12 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
4 %
Data confidence is - relatively high
Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
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Estimated Yearly Salary: 48,181 NZD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 4,015 NZD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 927 NZD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 23 NZD per hour
By working as Prep Cook a person can save up to 70 USD per month or 838 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in New Zealand, see costs of living in New Zealand.
Estimated Yearly Salary for Prep Cook
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
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Prep Cook salary in New Zealand
Average Yearly Salary of Prep Cook in New Zealand is approximately 48,181 NZD (24,099 USD). Data is for 2025 and indicates a pre-tax value. The salary itself depends on multiple factors such as seniority, job performance, certifications, experience or any other bonuses. The value indicated is an average amount based on records we have in database. Real values may vary. The data is for orientational purposes.
What does Prep Cook do?

Skills: Prep Cook, Food Preparation, Culinary Arts, Kitchen Assistant, Restaurant Industry, Food Service
Job industry: Food and beverage
Job industry: Food and beverage
How much does Prep Cook make?
Salary details
How much does Prep Cook make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 48,181 NZD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 4,015 NZD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 927 NZD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 23 NZD per hour
Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 46,482 NZDEstimated Monthly Salary: 3,874 NZD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 894 NZD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 22 NZD per hour
Prep Cook estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 24,099 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 2,008 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 463 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 12 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
About these results
Data confidence is - relatively high Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
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Country:
Salary comparison to National average
New Zealand, a beautiful island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, is known for its stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and vibrant Maori culture. With a population of around 5 million people, it is sparsely populated compared to its size. The country covers an area of approximately 268,000 square kilometers and consists of two main islands, the North Island and the South Island, along with numerous smaller islands.
Estimated national average yearly salary is 80,807 NZD (48,460 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Prep Cook job salary compared to average salary in New Zealand.
Comparison shows that a person working as Prep Cook in New Zealand earns on average:
0.6 times the average salary (or 60% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 80,807 NZD (48,460 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Prep Cook job salary compared to average salary in New Zealand.
Comparison shows that a person working as Prep Cook in New Zealand earns on average:
0.6 times the average salary (or 60% of average salary).
Is Prep Cook a well paid job?
No, our data shows that Prep Cook is typically not a well-paid job. The salary varies based on experience. Meaning that even though Prep Cook might be a low paying job, with experience the salary might increase to satisfactory levels.What is considered a high salary for Prep Cook?
High salary for Prep Cook would be somewhere between 52,999 NZD and 69,862 NZD. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Prep Cook in New Zealand?
Living in New Zealand the approximate monthly expenses are: 1,938 USD. This amount covers basic needs such as food, housing, clothing, healthcare and education costs for a single person. No luxury expenses such as traveling, leisure, hobbies are included in the estimation.Estimated Yearly Salary: 48,181 NZD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 4,015 NZD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 927 NZD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 23 NZD per hour
By working as Prep Cook a person can save up to 70 USD per month or 838 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in New Zealand, see costs of living in New Zealand.
Salary comparison to region and neighbouring coutries
Country's neighbours are: Australia, Fiji, New Caledonia, Tonga, Samoa. To make it easier for comparison a conversion from local currency to USD has been made (conversion rates may vary).Estimated Yearly Salary for Prep Cook
Salary increase per years of experience
Based on data available the salary increase per years of experience is as following- 0 years (beginner) equals base salary
- 1 to 5 years of experience yields
- 6 to 10 years of experience yields
- 11 to 15 years of experience yields
- 16 to 25 years of experience yields
- more than 25 years of experience yields
Top 10 highest salaries in New Zealand
(1,008,623 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
2. Cardiologist
(843,890 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
(810,735 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
(786,864 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
5. Neurosurgeon
(786,039 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
(769,764 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
7. Oncologist
(768,008 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
(767,682 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
(767,202 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
(766,991 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
Random salary:
Cable service technician (47,125 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
Laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (lasik), coordinator (53,878 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
Dance instructor (91,910 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
Manufactured building or mobile home installer (39,271 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
Marine surveyor (137,336 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
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