SOC 35-1011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Chefs and Head Cooks — Northeast Virginia
Northeast Virginia nonmetropolitan area · 8 metro areas compared
In Northeast Virginia, VA the median wage is $57,290.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Northeast Virginia, VA the median wage is $57,290. That is 8.3% lower than the national median of $62,470. Pay ranges from under $36,280 at the tenth percentile to more than $77,690 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $44,970 to $63,820.
Employment stands at 30, or 0.6 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Harrisonburg records the highest median at $63,270. Of the 253 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 124th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,280 | −41.9% |
| 25th | $44,970 | −28.0% |
| Median (50th) | $57,290 | −8.3% |
| 75th | $63,820 | +2.2% |
| 90th | $77,690 | +24.4% |
| Mean | $56,130 | −10.1% |
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 | Lynchburg | $56,930 | 90 | |
| 7 | Blacksburg | $56,580 | 70 | |
| 8 | Winchester | $54,110 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northeast Virginia sit close to the national average, so $57,290 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$57,290as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$56,667US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $57,290 a year, 8.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,280 to $77,690 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 30 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 Northeast Virginia, VA?
The median annual wage is $57,290, or $27.54 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 Northeast Virginia, VA is 8.3% 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 Northeast Virginia, VA earns more than $77,690 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,280 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 30 jobs in this occupation in Northeast Virginia, 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.
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