Home Cook jobs in Edinburgh typically pay £13–£20 an hour (about £2,250–£3,450 a month full time). Live-in positions are common, with a usual schedule of 5–6 days a week, split around mealtimes. Employers ask for proven experience cooking for a household and right-to-work checks. Register with AvailJob to be matched with families hiring in Edinburgh.
- Typical pay
- £13–£20
- per hour
- Full-time monthly
- £2,250–£3,450
- about 40 hours a week
- Live-in
- Common
- accommodation provided
- Schedule
- 5–6 days a week
- split around mealtimes
- Open now
- 0
- register to be matched
Open home cook positions in Edinburgh
No open position is listed for Edinburgh today. New home cook jobs are added as families hire. Register once and we will match you to the next opening near you.
Register as a Home CookAbout home cook jobs in Edinburgh
Working as a home cook in Edinburgh means joining a private household. The home cook prepares daily home-style meals for a family, plans menus and keeps the kitchen clean and stocked, and families across Edinburgh and the Lothians hire for this role all year round.
Edinburgh is known for asset management, fintech, informatics, and tourism, and many of the families who hire domestic staff here work for employers such as NatWest Group, abrdn, Baillie Gifford, Skyscanner, and the University of Edinburgh. Edinburgh is the UK's second-largest financial centre and manages hundreds of billions of pounds in assets.
Main duties
- Plan weekly menus around the family’s tastes and diets
- Cook breakfast, lunch and dinner on schedule
- Shop for groceries within a set budget
- Keep the kitchen, fridge and pantry clean and organised
- Prepare packed lunches and snacks
Home Cook pay in Edinburgh
Household incomes in Edinburgh are shaped by an average local salary of around £38,000, which is why home cook pay here sits above the UK average. Pay rises with experience, references, live-in flexibility and extra duties such as driving or cooking.
Indicative ranges for 2026 based on local salary levels and published household pay; individual offers vary.
A day as a home cook
- 7:00Breakfast service
- 9:30Shopping & prep
- 12:30Lunch
- 15:00Batch cooking
- 18:30Dinner & clean-down
Why work in Edinburgh?
The local job market is growing at 3.7% annually, so demand for reliable household staff keeps rising as more dual-income families move to Edinburgh.
Edinburgh is often described as “Scotland's Finance and Fintech Capital”, and its households expect a professional standard of service.
Requirements
What families ask for
- Proven experience cooking for a household
- Food safety knowledge
- References from previous families
- Ability to cook several cuisines
Working in United Kingdom
- Right to work in United Kingdom: Workers need the right to work in the UK; employers must check documents before employment starts.
- Checks: employers usually ask for right-to-work checks, references and a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check — an enhanced DBS check for roles with children or vulnerable adults.
- Minimum pay: wages must meet the National Living Wage or National Minimum Wage.
- Contract: Employees must receive a written statement of employment particulars from their first day of work.
Live-in or live-out?
Live-in home cook roles in Edinburgh normally include a private room and meals; the value of board is sometimes deducted from pay, so compare offers on the total package. Live-out roles pay the full hourly rate, and families often add travel costs for early starts.
How to get hired
- Register
Create your profile with your home cook experience, availability and references.
- Verification
Complete UK right-to-work and background checks.
- Interview & trial
Meet the family and work a short, paid trial day.
- Contract & start
Agree pay, hours and leave in writing before you start.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a home cook earn in Edinburgh?
Home Cook jobs in Edinburgh typically pay £13–£20 an hour (about £2,250–£3,450 a month full time). Experience, live-in arrangements, hours and extra duties move pay within this range.
Are there live-in home cook jobs in Edinburgh?
Live-in positions are common. Live-in home cook roles in Edinburgh normally include a private room and meals; the value of board is sometimes deducted from pay, so compare offers on the total package.
What do I need to work as a home cook in UK?
Employers ask for proven experience cooking for a household, food safety knowledge and right-to-work checks. You must also have the right to work in United Kingdom.
What does a home cook do day to day?
A home cook prepares daily home-style meals for a family, plans menus and keeps the kitchen clean and stocked. Typical duties include plan weekly menus around the family’s tastes and diets, cook breakfast, lunch and dinner on schedule, shop for groceries within a set budget.
How do I apply for home cook jobs in Edinburgh on AvailJob?
Register your profile with your experience, availability and references. When a family in Edinburgh hires for this role, you are matched and contacted.
What hours does a home cook work?
A typical schedule is 5–6 days a week, split around mealtimes. Hours, days off and overtime should be written into your contract.