SOC 35-1011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Chefs and Head Cooks — Mid Michigan
Mid Michigan nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
In Mid Michigan, MI the median wage is $48,260.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Mid Michigan, MI the median wage is $48,260. That is 22.7% lower than the national median of $62,470. Pay ranges from under $34,070 at the tenth percentile to more than $73,160 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $36,220 to $61,910.
The area has 160 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.81 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Kalamazoo records the highest median at $63,050. Of the 405 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 230th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,070 | −45.5% |
| 25th | $36,220 | −42.0% |
| Median (50th) | $48,260 | −22.7% |
| 75th | $61,910 | −0.9% |
| 90th | $73,160 | +17.1% |
| Mean | $52,600 | −15.8% |
Other metro areas in Michigan
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kalamazoo | $63,050 | 150 | |
| 2 | Grand Rapids | $61,890 | 610 | |
| 3 | Ann Arbor | $60,910 | 260 | |
| 4 | Detroit | $60,870 | 2,660 | |
| 5 | Midland | $59,700 | 30 | |
| 6 | Battle Creek | $59,540 | 80 | |
| 7 | Jackson | $59,510 | 50 | |
| 8 | Lansing | $59,280 | 210 | |
| 9 | Niles | $58,570 | 120 | |
| 10 | Flint | $57,800 | 110 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Mid Michigan run 3.8% below the national average, so the median of $48,260 goes as far as $50,166 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 19.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$48,260as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$50,166US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $48,260 a year, 22.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $34,070 to $73,160 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 160 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Kalamazoo, at $63,050.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Mid Michigan, MI?
The median annual wage is $48,260, or $23.20 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 Mid Michigan, MI is 22.7% 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 Mid Michigan, MI earns more than $73,160 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $34,070 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 Kalamazoo, at $63,050 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 160 jobs in this occupation in Mid Michigan, MI. 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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