SOC 35-1011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Chefs and Head Cooks — Reading
Reading, PA · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Reading, PA is $66,980 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 Reading, PA is $66,980 per year, close to the national median of $62,470 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $51,520 and $85,080. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $41,420 and the ninetieth at $108,220.
Employment stands at 210, or 1.2 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Pittsburgh records the highest median at $66,320. Of the 398 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 136th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $41,420 | −33.7% |
| 25th | $51,520 | −17.5% |
| Median (50th) | $66,980 | +7.2% |
| 75th | $85,080 | +36.2% |
| 90th | $108,220 | +73.2% |
| Mean | $70,150 | +12.3% |
Other metro areas in Pennsylvania
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pittsburgh | $66,320 | 1,340 | |
| 2 | Philadelphia | $65,680 | 5,700 | |
| 3 | Allentown | $63,220 | 570 | |
| 4 | Scranton | $60,750 | 450 | |
| 5 | Chambersburg | $59,950 | 50 | |
| 6 | Harrisburg | $59,690 | 400 | |
| 7 | State College | $58,560 | 120 | |
| 8 | Lancaster | $58,040 | 280 | |
| 9 | York | $56,860 | 160 | |
| 10 | Johnstown | $56,440 | 70 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Reading run 2.4% below the national average, so the median of $66,980 goes as far as $68,627 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 9.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$66,980as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$68,627US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $66,980 a year, 7.2% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $41,420 to $108,220 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 210 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Pittsburgh, at $66,320.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Reading, PA?
The median annual wage is $66,980, or $32.20 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 Reading, PA is 7.2% 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 Reading, PA earns more than $108,220 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $41,420 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 Pittsburgh, at $66,320 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 210 jobs in this occupation in Reading, PA. 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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