Private Cook and Personal Chef Pay in Florida (2026)

Quick answer: Private household cooks in Florida earn a median of $17.43 per hour (BLS, May 2025). Personal chefs who plan menus and shop usually charge more, often per session with groceries paid separately. Families in Orlando use private cooks for weekly meal prep, a few hours a day, or events.

Private cook pay in Florida

Measure	Value	Source
Private household cooks, median wage	$17.43/hr	BLS OEWS, Florida, May 2025
Florida minimum wage	$15.00/hr since Sep 30, 2026	Florida Constitution, Art. X §24

The BLS doesn't publish a separate figure for the Orlando metro. Personal chefs who plan menus and shop usually charge more than the median, often per session plus groceries.

How families use a private cook

Weekly meal prep: one session a week, meals for 4–5 days.
Daily cook: a few hours a day, often combined with light housekeeping.
Events: a flat rate per dinner or party.

What affects the rate

Diets and cuisines (gluten-free, Brazilian, Latin, kosher).
Who shops and who pays for groceries.
Cleaning the kitchen afterwards.

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Frequently asked questions

How much does a private cook make in Florida?

The BLS median for private household cooks in Florida is $17.43 an hour (May 2025).

Do personal chefs charge per hour or per session?

Many charge per session or per meal plan, with groceries paid separately.

Last updated 2026-11-07. This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice.