SOC 35-1011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Chefs and Head Cooks — North Florida
North Florida nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in North Florida, FL is $59,710 per year, close to the national median of $62,470 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in North Florida, FL is $59,710 per year, close to the national median of $62,470 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $46,140 and $76,510. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $36,900 and the ninetieth at $86,240.
The area has 170 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.5 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Naples records the highest median at $68,830. Of the 315 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 106th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,900 | −40.9% |
| 25th | $46,140 | −26.1% |
| Median (50th) | $59,710 | −4.4% |
| 75th | $76,510 | +22.5% |
| 90th | $86,240 | +38.1% |
| Mean | $61,910 | −0.9% |
Other metro areas in Florida
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Naples | $68,830 | 640 | |
| 2 | Orlando | $61,390 | 2,360 | |
| 3 | North Port | $60,180 | 880 | |
| 4 | Wildwood | $59,510 | 130 | |
| 5 | Tampa | $58,240 | 1,720 | |
| 6 | Miami | $57,940 | 8,210 | |
| 7 | Crestview | $56,830 | 380 | |
| 8 | Cape Coral | $56,220 | 660 | |
| 9 | Port St. Lucie | $56,130 | 340 | |
| 10 | Ocala | $55,540 | 120 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in North Florida run 3.4% above the national average, so the median of $59,710 buys what $57,747 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 7.6% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$59,710as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.4US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$57,747US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $59,710 a year, 4.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,900 to $86,240 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 170 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Naples, at $68,830.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in North Florida, FL?
The median annual wage is $59,710, or $28.71 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 North Florida, FL is 4.4% 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 North Florida, FL earns more than $86,240 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,900 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 Naples, at $68,830 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 170 jobs in this occupation in North Florida, FL. 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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