Home > Salary > South Africa > Back Line Cook
A back line cook, also known as a line cook or prep cook, is responsible for preparing and cooking food in a restaurant or food establishment. This role typically involves working on the back line or the area of the kitchen where the food is cooked and assembled before being served to customers. Back line cooks work under the supervision of the head chef or kitchen manager and are an essential part of the kitchen team.
Their duties include preparing ingredients, following recipes, cooking and plating dishes, maintaining cleanliness and organization of the kitchen, and ensuring food safety standards are met. They must have excellent knife skills, be able to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment, and possess knowledge of various cooking techniques.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 67,308 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 5,609 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,294 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 32 ZAR per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 5,420 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,251 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 31 ZAR per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-02
Estimated Yearly Salary: 3,360 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 280 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 65 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 2 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
3 %
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: 67,308 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 5,609 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,294 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 32 ZAR per hour
By working as Back Line Cook a person can save up to 9 USD per month or 106 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 South Africa, see costs of living in South Africa.
Estimated Yearly Salary for Back Line Cook
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
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Back Line Cook salary in South Africa
Average Yearly Salary of Back Line Cook in South Africa is approximately 67,308 ZAR (3,360 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 Back Line Cook do?

Skills: Line cook, Prep cook, Food preparation, Cooking, Kitchen operations, Culinary skills
Job industry: Food and beverage
Job industry: Food and beverage
How much does Back Line Cook make?
Salary details
How much does Back Line Cook make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 67,308 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 5,609 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,294 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 32 ZAR per hour
Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 65,040 ZAREstimated Monthly Salary: 5,420 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,251 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 31 ZAR per hour
Back Line Cook estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 3,360 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 280 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 65 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 2 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
Compare salary to other countries
Please type in your occupation and select desired country to see latest trends in salaries.
Country:
Salary comparison to National average
South Africa is a diverse and vibrant country located at the southernmost tip of the African continent. It has a population of approximately 59 million people and covers an area of around 1.2 million square kilometers. The country is known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and abundant wildlife.
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Back Line Cook job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Back Line Cook in South Africa earns on average:
0.53 times the average salary (or 53% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Back Line Cook job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Back Line Cook in South Africa earns on average:
0.53 times the average salary (or 53% of average salary).
Is Back Line Cook a well paid job?
No, our data shows that Back Line Cook is typically not a well-paid job. The salary varies based on experience. Meaning that even though Back Line Cook might be a low paying job, with experience the salary might increase to satisfactory levels.What is considered a high salary for Back Line Cook?
High salary for Back Line Cook would be somewhere between 74,039 ZAR and 97,597 ZAR. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Back Line Cook in South Africa?
Living in South Africa the approximate monthly expenses are: 271 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: 67,308 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 5,609 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,294 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 32 ZAR per hour
By working as Back Line Cook a person can save up to 9 USD per month or 106 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 South Africa, see costs of living in South Africa.
Salary comparison to region and neighbouring coutries
Country's neighbours are: Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini, Lesotho. To make it easier for comparison a conversion from local currency to USD has been made (conversion rates may vary).Estimated Yearly Salary for Back Line 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
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Random salary:
Real estate development manager (commercial) (228,520 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Electrical discharge machine (edm), operator (87,596 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Lead physical therapist (pt) (171,626 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Offshore surveyor (74,041 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Automobile service advisor (95,217 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
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