SOC 35-1011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Chefs and Head Cooks — Lynchburg
Lynchburg, VA · 7 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Lynchburg, VA is $56,930 a year, trailing the national median of $62,470 by 8.9%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Lynchburg, VA is $56,930 a year, trailing the national median of $62,470 by 8.9%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $48,080 and $65,040. The lowest tenth earn under $35,050, while the highest tenth earn more than $81,220.
The area has 90 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.9 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Harrisonburg records the highest median at $63,270. Of the 310 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 131st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,050 | −43.9% |
| 25th | $48,080 | −23.0% |
| Median (50th) | $56,930 | −8.9% |
| 75th | $65,040 | +4.1% |
| 90th | $81,220 | +30.0% |
| Mean | $57,390 | −8.1% |
Other metro areas in Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harrisonburg | $63,270 | 60 | |
| 2 | Charlottesville | $61,990 | 180 | |
| 3 | Richmond | $59,730 | 540 | |
| 4 | Virginia Beach | $57,730 | 530 | |
| 5 | Roanoke | $57,350 | 100 | |
| 6 | Blacksburg | $56,580 | 70 | |
| 7 | Winchester | $54,110 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Lynchburg sit close to the national average, so $56,930 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$56,930as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$56,311US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $56,930 a year, 8.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $35,050 to $81,220 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 90 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Harrisonburg, at $63,270.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Lynchburg, VA?
The median annual wage is $56,930, or $27.37 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 Lynchburg, VA is 8.9% 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 Lynchburg, VA earns more than $81,220 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $35,050 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 Harrisonburg, at $63,270 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 90 jobs in this occupation in Lynchburg, VA. 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.
Explore related data