What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Cooks, Private Household in the U.S. earn more than $47,940 a year — the middle 80% land between $36,090 and $91,130. About 1,100 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Cooks, Private Household”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Service and sales workers earn about ₹15,575 a month on average — around ₹1.9 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$47,940typical pay / year
1,100people in this work
$91,130+top 10% earn
₹1.9 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Make3
Cook according to employer needs
+Cook dinners for the Alvarez household Monday to Friday to match employer preferences: low-salt stews twice,…
Cook according to employer needs
+Cook dinners for the Alvarez household Monday to Friday to match employer preferences: low-salt stews twice, one baked fish, two vegetable-forward mains; track ingredient costs and plate leftovers separately to control expenses.
The tools that do the workFood inventoryCost trackingESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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Serve meals and snacks to families and guests
+Serve family meals and two afternoon snacks today: set the table for six, plate balanced portions according…
Serve meals and snacks to families and guests
+Serve family meals and two afternoon snacks today: set the table for six, plate balanced portions according to ages, clear and store leftovers immediately, note any special requests from guests and report food allergies to the employer.
The tools that do the workWork schedulingjob descriptionsO*NET
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Bake breads and pastries
+Bake a twice-batch of wholegrain rolls and a tray of cinnamon buns for Sunday brunch, follow tested recipes…
Bake breads and pastries
+Bake a twice-batch of wholegrain rolls and a tray of cinnamon buns for Sunday brunch, follow tested recipes for consistent weights, cool and label each dozen with baking time and storage advice, and restock the breadbox.
The tools that do the workCooking e-booksjob descriptionsO*NET
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Keeping the record1
Shop for or order food and supplies
+Shop for this week’s groceries on Friday morning: replenish staples used in meal plans, compare prices to…
Shop for or order food and supplies
+Shop for this week’s groceries on Friday morning: replenish staples used in meal plans, compare prices to keep within the employer’s budget, bring receipts and update the ingredient inventory sheet, and notify employer if substitutions are needed.
The tools that do the workWeb browserFood inventoryjob descriptionsO*NET
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Protecting2
Direct kitchen operations and food activities
+Run today’s kitchen: check pantry and fridge stocks, prioritise meals for the family’s school and work…
Direct kitchen operations and food activities
+Run today’s kitchen: check pantry and fridge stocks, prioritise meals for the family’s school and work lunches, place one grocery order for perishables to arrive tomorrow morning, assign dish and surface cleaning rounds after dinner.
The tools that do the workFood inventoryWork schedulingjob descriptionsO*NET
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Create and explore new cuisines
+Spend this afternoon testing three new recipes from the Thai and Mediterranean sections, note ingredient…
Create and explore new cuisines
+Spend this afternoon testing three new recipes from the Thai and Mediterranean sections, note ingredient costs and timing for each, taste and score them, then save the winners to the weekly menu for next Wednesday.
The tools that do the workCooking e-booksCost trackingjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work16
Work ergonomically
+Set up my prep station so counters, cutting boards, pans and frequently used tools sit between hip and…
Work ergonomically
+Set up my prep station so counters, cutting boards, pans and frequently used tools sit between hip and shoulder height, replace the two low shelves with pull-out bins, schedule 10-minute stretch breaks at 9:30 and 12:30, and buy one adjustable-height stool this week.
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Clean rooms
+Deep-clean the kitchen and pantry today: clear counters, wipe high-touch surfaces, dust light fixtures,…
Clean rooms
+Deep-clean the kitchen and pantry today: clear counters, wipe high-touch surfaces, dust light fixtures, vacuum and mop floors, launder cloths, restock cleaning spray and paper towels, then run a quick inventory so I know what supplies to reorder.
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Cool, package, label, and freeze foods
+Cool the roasted chicken and vegetable batches to fridge-safe temperature, portion into labeled meal-size…
Cool, package, label, and freeze foods
+Cool the roasted chicken and vegetable batches to fridge-safe temperature, portion into labeled meal-size containers with reheating instructions and production date, then stack flat in the freezer so airflow is not blocked.
The tools that do the workFood inventoryjob descriptionsO*NET
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Keep records of menus and finances
+Record this week's menus, ingredient costs and client charges, reconcile grocery receipts against each menu,…
Keep records of menus and finances
+Record this week's menus, ingredient costs and client charges, reconcile grocery receipts against each menu, and produce a simple profit summary for the week to review on Monday.
The tools that do the workCost trackingIntuit QuickBooksjob descriptionsO*NET
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Prepare meals in private homes
+Prepare tonight's three-course dinner at Mrs. Khan's: mise en place for each course, cook in sequence to…
Prepare meals in private homes
+Prepare tonight's three-course dinner at Mrs. Khan's: mise en place for each course, cook in sequence to serve hot at 7:00pm, clear and clean the kitchen after service, and leave reheating notes for leftovers.
The tools that do the workWork schedulingjob descriptions
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Instruct household staff
+Train Maria on pantry rotation, safe handling, and plating standards: walk through a service, demonstrate…
Instruct household staff
+Train Maria on pantry rotation, safe handling, and plating standards: walk through a service, demonstrate three recipes, checklist her competence, and schedule a review next Friday.
The tools that do the workAPPCA Personal Chef OfficeWork schedulingESCO
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Clean the house
+Deep-clean the kitchen and dining room today: wipe and sanitize counters, dust shelves, degrease stovetop,…
Clean the house
+Deep-clean the kitchen and dining room today: wipe and sanitize counters, dust shelves, degrease stovetop, mop floors, empty rubbish, and note any supply reorder needs before closing the service.
The tools that do the workFood inventoryESCO
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Take care of children
+Look after Maya and Jonah until 6pm: plan simple snacks, keep them occupied with a forty-minute crafts…
Take care of children
+Look after Maya and Jonah until 6pm: plan simple snacks, keep them occupied with a forty-minute crafts session, supervise outdoor play, change the toddler's nap area if needed, and notify Sam at 5:30 if any delays.
The tools that do the workWork schedulingESCO
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Perform gardening tasks
+Tend the raised beds this morning: pull weeds in the herb patch, water tomatoes with a slow soak, stake any…
Perform gardening tasks
+Tend the raised beds this morning: pull weeds in the herb patch, water tomatoes with a slow soak, stake any leaning plants, and compost the trimmings into the black bin before noon.
The tools that do the workWeb browserESCO
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Order supplies
+Reorder pantry staples for the week: make a shopping list of milk, eggs, flour, olive oil, and chicken,…
Order supplies
+Reorder pantry staples for the week: make a shopping list of milk, eggs, flour, olive oil, and chicken, compare prices at the nearby market, then place the order for delivery on Wednesday morning.
The tools that do the workFood inventoryWeb browserESCO
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Manage expenditures
+Review last month's food and household spending, categorize each charge by groceries, takeout, and supplies,…
Manage expenditures
+Review last month's food and household spending, categorize each charge by groceries, takeout, and supplies, set a 20% lower target for takeout next month, and export a one-page summary for Sam.
The tools that do the workCost trackingIntuit QuickBooksESCO
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Perform dusting activities
+Dust the main living areas this afternoon: start with ceiling fans, work down to shelves and picture frames,…
Perform dusting activities
+Dust the main living areas this afternoon: start with ceiling fans, work down to shelves and picture frames, finish with baseboards in the playroom, and put the toys back in their bins so the kids can play tonight.
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Control of expenses
+Tighten household spending for the month: identify three recurring subscriptions to cancel, set a weekly meal…
Control of expenses
+Tighten household spending for the month: identify three recurring subscriptions to cancel, set a weekly meal plan to cut grocery waste, and create a running list of impulse purchases to review each Friday with Sam.
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Work scheduling
+Create next month's home visit work scheduling, block three weekday mornings for client meal prep, assign…
Work scheduling
+Create next month's home visit work scheduling, block three weekday mornings for client meal prep, assign dietary notes and shopping days, and send the confirmed calendar to clients and the kitchen assistant by the 25th.
The tools that do the workWork schedulingO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Cost tracking
+Update this week's cost tracking with ingredient invoices: salmon $48, local greens $12, citrus $6; recalc…
Cost tracking
+Update this week's cost tracking with ingredient invoices: salmon $48, local greens $12, citrus $6; recalc menu cost per guest for Friday's four-course tasting and save the updated cost tracking sheet for client invoicing.
The tools that do the workCost trackingO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Food inventory
+Count pantry and fridge, log quantities and use-by dates for all proteins and dry goods, flag items below par…
Food inventory
+Count pantry and fridge, log quantities and use-by dates for all proteins and dry goods, flag items below par stock, and save the report to food inventory so shopping list and prep schedules update for the week ahead.
The tools that do the workFood inventoryO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Says who?
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Activities this job lives in
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Same family of work — each with its own tasks and prompts.
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses