The average salary for a chefs and head cook in the United States is $62,640, but the range typically falls between $45,590 and $75,590. This corresponds to an average hourly wage of $30.12, with a range between $21.92 and $36.34.
There are approximately 172,370 people employed as a chefs and head cook in the United States. With California, Florida, New York employing the highest number of chefs and head cooks.The state with the best pay for a chefs and head cook is Hawaii, with an average annual salary of $99,520, while Oklahoma has the lowest average annual salary of $39,130.
| Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $36,040 | $17.33 |
| 25th Percentile | $45,590 | $21.92 |
| Median | $58,920 | $28.33 |
| 75th Percentile | $75,590 | $36.34 |
| 90th Percentile | $93,900 | $45.14 |
The salary of a chefs and head cook can vary depending on the state. Below is a map of the United States showing the average annual salary for a chefs and head cook in each state. The darker the color, the higher the salary. The best states for chefs and head cooks are Hawaii, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, North Dakota, District of Columbia while the worst states are Oklahoma, Kentucky, Iowa, Louisiana, Idaho.
| State | Low-end | Average | High-end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $43,690 | $64,310 | $89,080 |
| Alaska | $43,720 | $65,710 | $94,960 |
| Arizona | $43,920 | $70,130 | $103,230 |
| Arkansas | $34,200 | $55,050 | $79,560 |
| California | $39,160 | $67,150 | $98,050 |
| Colorado | $44,090 | $70,130 | $95,590 |
| Connecticut | $38,230 | $66,950 | $95,370 |
| Delaware | $39,800 | $58,810 | $81,040 |
| District of Columbia | $45,930 | $75,520 | $114,730 |
| Florida | $36,150 | $61,880 | $95,540 |
| Georgia | $30,480 | $55,460 | $82,420 |
| Hawaii | $68,470 | $99,520 | $152,110 |
| Idaho | $23,460 | $49,010 | $74,990 |
| Illinois | $39,530 | $66,610 | $99,320 |
| Indiana | $33,430 | $56,180 | $83,150 |
| Iowa | $29,870 | $46,180 | $62,960 |
| Kansas | $33,290 | $56,990 | $79,780 |
| Kentucky | $33,430 | $47,280 | $76,920 |
| Louisiana | $21,420 | $48,930 | $84,770 |
| Maine | $43,230 | $58,540 | $76,170 |
| Maryland | $41,200 | $66,560 | $93,290 |
| Massachusetts | $50,760 | $77,120 | $106,230 |
| Michigan | $38,270 | $56,730 | $77,280 |
| Minnesota | $35,320 | $60,550 | $91,080 |
| Mississippi | $27,300 | $51,830 | $82,010 |
| Missouri | $34,130 | $56,430 | $85,390 |
| Montana | $36,040 | $53,040 | $69,640 |
| Nebraska | $28,350 | $61,730 | $109,620 |
| Nevada | $35,780 | $62,020 | $99,440 |
| New Hampshire | $26,180 | $58,690 | $87,140 |
| New Jersey | $47,920 | $71,100 | $97,070 |
| New Mexico | $46,110 | $66,610 | $90,500 |
| New York | $35,200 | $68,410 | $101,240 |
| North Carolina | $38,960 | $61,300 | $84,620 |
| North Dakota | $45,250 | $70,920 | $93,600 |
| Ohio | $32,310 | $53,800 | $88,270 |
| Oklahoma | $16,210 | $39,130 | $74,570 |
| Oregon | $43,300 | $58,160 | $79,380 |
| Pennsylvania | $41,480 | $64,940 | $95,920 |
| Rhode Island | $62,430 | $81,170 | $106,560 |
| South Carolina | $35,320 | $55,240 | $78,280 |
| South Dakota | $38,550 | $47,840 | $58,860 |
| Tennessee | $38,440 | $59,540 | $82,270 |
| Texas | $27,630 | $52,950 | $81,910 |
| Utah | $33,120 | $56,320 | $88,060 |
| Vermont | $51,780 | $64,870 | $76,130 |
| Virginia | $36,200 | $54,950 | $79,550 |
| Washington | $44,560 | $67,360 | $86,360 |
| West Virginia | $33,770 | $58,260 | $83,180 |
| Wisconsin | $35,330 | $60,570 | $87,420 |
| Wyoming | $32,370 | $61,080 | $79,040 |
Even between cities, the salary of a chefs and head cook can vary. For example, the areas with the highest average salary for chefs and head cooks is Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina area, HI with an average salary of $104,180.The city with the lowest average salary for chefs and head cooks is Killeen-Temple area, TX with an average salary of $35,060.
Areas with highest average salaries for chefs and head cooks
Areas with lowest average salaries for chefs and head cooks
The number of chefs and head cooks in the United States has been increasing over the years. Since 2020, the number of chefs and head cooks has increased by 70,880. On average, the number of chefs and head cooks has been increasing by 17.5% each year. The salary of chefs and head cooks has been increasing. Since 2020, the salary of chefs and head cooks has increased by $3,900. On average, the salary of chefs and head cooks has been increasing by 1.7% each year.
Chefs and Head Cooks are part of the food preparation and serving related occupations group. Below is a comparison of the average annual salary for chefs and head cooks compared to other jobs in the same occupation group. View all food preparation and serving related occupations jobs here.
$30,110 per year
$30,750 per year
$33,840 per year
$32,730 per year
$36,530 per year
$43,310 per year
