SOC 35-1011 · May 2025 · United States
Chefs and Head Cooks
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
The median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks across the United States is $62,470 per year, measured over 200,040 jobs. The highest state median is in Rhode Island, at $79,930.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Where the pay is highest for Chefs and Head Cooks
Pay for this occupation varies by 75.4% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. Rhode Island pays $79,930 and Louisiana pays $45,570.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island | $79,930 | 740 | |
| 2 | Hawaii | $77,360 | 1,240 | |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $76,420 | 2,020 | |
| 4 | Washington | $76,010 | 5,320 | |
| 5 | North Dakota | $74,740 | 100 | |
| 6 | New Jersey | $74,280 | 9,100 | |
| 7 | Wyoming | $73,170 | 240 | |
| 8 | South Carolina | $71,860 | 2,650 | |
| 9 | New York | $70,670 | 17,430 | |
| 10 | Tennessee | $69,810 | 3,820 |
States with the most Chefs and Head Cooks jobs
| # | State | Jobs | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 31,670 | $64,500 | |
| 2 | Florida | 19,670 | $58,240 | |
| 3 | New York | 17,430 | $70,670 | |
| 4 | Texas | 13,270 | $56,080 | |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 9,170 | $63,860 | |
| 6 | New Jersey | 9,100 | $74,280 | |
| 7 | Illinois | 8,290 | $58,830 | |
| 8 | Massachusetts | 6,000 | $69,540 | |
| 9 | Michigan | 5,360 | $60,070 | |
| 10 | Washington | 5,320 | $76,010 |
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Terre Haute | $85,920 | 50 |
| 2 | Kahului | $84,990 | 250 |
| 3 | Albany | $84,430 | 470 |
| 4 | Morgantown | $81,330 | 70 |
| 5 | Seattle | $80,330 | 3,740 |
| 6 | Providence | $79,340 | 1,070 |
| 7 | San Jose | $79,020 | 1,280 |
| 8 | Napa | $78,960 | 300 |
| 9 | Atlantic City | $75,740 | 900 |
| 10 | Vineland | $75,050 | 100 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.