SOC 35-1011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Chefs and Head Cooks — Arizona
Arizona nonmetropolitan area · 7 metro areas compared
The median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Arizona, AZ is $39,110 per year, substantially below the national median of $62,470 — a gap of 37.4%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Arizona, AZ is $39,110 per year, substantially below the national median of $62,470 — a gap of 37.4%. Half of workers earn between $36,450 and $69,540. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $35,010 and the ninetieth at $81,350.
The area has 120 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.3 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Phoenix records the highest median at $61,400. Of the 318 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 250th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,010 | −44.0% |
| 25th | $36,450 | −41.7% |
| Median (50th) | $39,110 | −37.4% |
| 75th | $69,540 | +11.3% |
| 90th | $81,350 | +30.2% |
| Mean | $52,870 | −15.4% |
Other metro areas in Arizona
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phoenix | $61,400 | 2,870 | |
| 2 | Flagstaff | $59,380 | 150 | |
| 3 | Prescott Valley | $57,990 | 130 | |
| 4 | Tucson | $49,990 | 580 | |
| 5 | Yuma | $48,590 | 80 | |
| 6 | Lake Havasu City | $38,470 | 80 | |
| 7 | Sierra Vista | $37,570 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Arizona sit close to the national average, so $39,110 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$39,110as reported by BLSLocal price level
100.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$38,838US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $39,110 a year, 37.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $35,010 to $81,350 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 120 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Phoenix, at $61,400.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Arizona, AZ?
The median annual wage is $39,110, or $18.81 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $62,470, so pay in Arizona, AZ is 37.4% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Arizona, AZ earns more than $81,350 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $35,010 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Phoenix, at $61,400 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 120 jobs in this occupation in Arizona, AZ. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. 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.
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