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This standard covers nonsupervisory work involved in the preparation of regular or special diet foods and meals. This includes cooking meats, poultry, fish, shellfish, and vegetables and making soups, gravies, sauces, desserts, and other foods. Cooks use standardized recipes and menus and personal knowledge and experience to measure, assemble, and mix ingredients; regulate cooking temperatures; and add seasoning to foods. They use specialized knowledge and skill to design and prepare decorated f
Federal Wage System Pay
Federal Wage Grade (WG) pay varies by geographic location and is determined by local prevailing wage surveys.
Look Up WG Pay by LocationSource: DoD Civilian Personnel Advisory Service
Official OPM qualification standards for WG-7404
This standard covers nonsupervisory work involved in the preparation of regular or special diet foods and meals. This includes cooking meats, poultry, fish, shellfish, and vegetables and making soups, gravies, sauces, desserts, and other foods. Cooks use standardized recipes and menus and personal knowledge and experience to measure, assemble, and mix ingredients; regulate cooking temperatures; and add seasoning to foods. They use specialized knowledge and skill to design and prepare decorated foods and aesthetic food arrangements. This includes techniques to mold food items into various forms, carve fruits and vegetables into various shapes, and create ice sculptures.
Step-by-step guide to landing a federal cooking position
WG positions require demonstrated skill in a specific trade or craft. Review the job announcement for required certifications, licenses, and hands-on experience.
WG positions are experience-based, not grade-based. Document your years of hands-on trade experience, apprenticeships completed, and journeyman status if applicable.
Collect your DD-214, trade certifications (welding, electrical, HVAC, etc.), apprenticeship completion certificates, and any specialized licenses required for your trade.
Create a detailed federal resume highlighting your hands-on trade experience, tools and equipment operated, safety training, and specific projects completed. Include hours worked per week.
Search for WG positions in your trade specialty, carefully answer assessment questions about your skill level and experience, and submit before the closing date.
Military jobs that transition to WG-7404
Cooking pathway. Highlight submarine environment expertise.
Direct translation to federal cooking positions. Volume cooking and safety compliance key.
Cooking pathway.
💡 Tip: Your unique military experience may qualify you even if your MOS isn't listed.
💡 Use these phrases to help ATS systems and human recruiters find your qualifications.
Typical grades for Federal Wage System positions
A Cook (WG-7404) prepares regular and special diet foods and meals at federal facilities including military dining facilities, VA hospitals, and federal institutions. Work involves cooking meats, poultry, seafood, and vegetables, making soups, gravies, sauces, and desserts, and using standardized recipes to produce nutritious meals for large numbers of people while meeting health and safety standards.
Federal Cooks are paid under the WG system with locality adjustments. WG-7404 positions typically range from WG-5 to WG-9 based on skill level and menu complexity. Head cooks managing large dining operations earn higher grades. Check DCPAS wage schedules for your locality rates—shift differentials often apply for early morning or evening shifts.
WG-7404 positions require knowledge of cooking techniques, food preparation methods, and commercial kitchen equipment. Candidates must follow standardized recipes, maintain food safety standards, and prepare meals for large groups. Higher grades require ability to prepare specialty dishes, modify recipes for therapeutic diets, and manage kitchen production schedules.
Absolutely. Military culinary experience is highly valued for WG-7404. Army 92G (Culinary Specialist), Navy CS (Culinary Specialist), Marine Corps 3381, Air Force 3M0X1, and Coast Guard FS ratings provide excellent preparation. Your experience with high-volume cooking, military recipes, food safety, and field kitchen operations directly applies to federal cook positions.
Cooks advance from WG-5 through WG-9 based on culinary skills and operational responsibility. Senior cooks manage complex menu preparation and special dietary requirements. Work Leader (WL) positions supervise kitchen staff. Supervisory (WS) roles manage entire food service operations. Some advance to GS Dietitian or Food Service positions.
Search USAJOBS for "Cook" or "7404" to find positions at military dining facilities, VA medical centers, federal prisons, and institutional cafeterias. Emphasize your cooking experience, commercial kitchen equipment skills, and food safety certifications. Include any ServSafe or military culinary training certificates. Veterans' preference applies strongly.
Create a tailored federal resume that meets OPM standards.