Chefs and Head Cooks salary

United States, all industries · BLS OEWS 2025

National market range

$48K–$79K

Median

$62,470

25th percentile

$48,440

75th percentile

$78,750

$38K

10th

$48K

25th

$62K

Median

$79K

75th

$99K

90th

By state

State

Median

Range · 25th–75th

vs national

Alabama

$62,400

$51K–$74K

Alaska

$52,190

$41K–$73K

-16%

Arizona

$59,890

$38K–$75K

-4%

Arkansas

$46,170

$39K–$65K

-26%

California

$64,500

$46K–$81K

+3%

Colorado

$65,400

$58K–$79K

+5%

Connecticut

$64,310

$51K–$78K

+3%

Delaware

$61,440

$56K–$76K

-2%

District of Columbia

$76,420

$64K–$81K

+22%

Florida

$58,240

$44K–$76K

-7%

Georgia

$66,230

$50K–$90K

+6%

Hawaii

$77,360

$55K–$99K

+24%

Idaho

$52,000

$42K–$67K

-17%

Illinois

$58,830

$50K–$74K

-6%

Indiana

$52,190

$39K–$65K

-16%

Iowa

$47,990

$43K–$59K

-23%

Kansas

$58,390

$44K–$75K

-7%

Kentucky

$48,070

$37K–$67K

-23%

Louisiana

$45,570

$40K–$59K

-27%

Maine

$57,010

$55K–$63K

-9%

Maryland

$61,590

$45K–$79K

-1%

Massachusetts

$69,540

$54K–$83K

+11%

Michigan

$60,070

$49K–$74K

-4%

Minnesota

$62,600

$53K–$76K

Mississippi

$54,850

$37K–$76K

-12%

Missouri

$64,480

$50K–$77K

+3%

Montana

$57,470

$49K–$72K

-8%

Nebraska

$60,510

$46K–$82K

-3%

Nevada

$62,380

$50K–$79K

New Hampshire

$63,400

$53K–$76K

+1%

New Jersey

$74,280

$60K–$82K

+19%

New Mexico

$62,250

$49K–$83K

New York

$70,670

$55K–$93K

+13%

North Carolina

$61,130

$48K–$76K

-2%

North Dakota

$74,740

$49K–$79K

+20%

Ohio

$53,990

$46K–$74K

-14%

Oklahoma

$58,540

$38K–$68K

-6%

Oregon

$63,600

$54K–$77K

+2%

Pennsylvania

$63,860

$49K–$82K

+2%

Puerto Rico

$30,800

$27K–$48K

-51%

Rhode Island

$79,930

$72K–$96K

+28%

South Carolina

$71,860

$60K–$79K

+15%

South Dakota

$48,470

$40K–$52K

-22%

Tennessee

$69,810

$57K–$82K

+12%

Texas

$56,080

$42K–$72K

-10%

the U.S. Virgin Islands

$63,960

$47K–$78K

+2%

Utah

$59,060

$42K–$76K

-5%

Vermont

$65,440

$57K–$77K

+5%

Virginia

$63,270

$50K–$77K

+1%

Washington

$76,010

$59K–$82K

+22%

West Virginia

$61,100

$48K–$82K

-2%

Wisconsin

$61,300

$49K–$74K

-2%

Wyoming

$73,170

$62K–$84K

+17%

Source: BLS OEWS, 2025 · Ranges are 25th–75th percentile of reported wages for the occupation code · All workers, regardless of gender.

Women are 55% of food preparation and serving occupations nationally, and earn 87¢ for every dollar men earn (U.S. Census ACS 2024; earnings full-time year-round). A market-based target is computed the same way regardless of gender — that’s the point.

More food preparation and serving occupations

Bartenders Cooks, All Other Cooks, Fast Food Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Cooks, Private Household Cooks, Restaurant Cooks, Short Order Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers Dishwashers Fast Food and Counter Workers

National salary data is the starting point. Your career isn’t average.

This page shows the market for the title. Págame reads your résumé and computes the market for you — your level, your scope, your city, your evidence.

Get my personal number

Free to start · Begins with your résumé