SOC 35-1011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Chefs and Head Cooks — Burlington
Burlington-South Burlington, VT
Median pay for this occupation in Burlington, VT comes to $69,920 a year, ahead of the national median of $62,470 by 11.9%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Burlington, VT comes to $69,920 a year, ahead of the national median of $62,470 by 11.9%. Pay ranges from under $53,560 at the tenth percentile to more than $83,040 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $59,090 to $77,360.
The area has 200 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.28 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Of the 396 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 172nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $53,560 | −14.3% |
| 25th | $59,090 | −5.4% |
| Median (50th) | $69,920 | +11.9% |
| 75th | $77,360 | +23.8% |
| 90th | $83,040 | +32.9% |
| Mean | $70,400 | +12.7% |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Burlington sit close to the national average, so $69,920 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$69,920as reported by BLSLocal price level
98.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$71,347US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $69,920 a year, 11.9% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $53,560 to $83,040 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 200 jobs in this occupation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Burlington, VT?
The median annual wage is $69,920, or $33.61 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 Burlington, VT is 11.9% higher. 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 Burlington, VT earns more than $83,040 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $53,560 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.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 200 jobs in this occupation in Burlington, VT. 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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