SOC 35-1011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Chefs and Head Cooks — Sierra Vista
Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ · 6 metro areas compared
At $37,570, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Chefs and Head Cooks, 39.9% beneath the national figure of $62,470.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $37,570, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Chefs and Head Cooks, 39.9% beneath the national figure of $62,470. Pay ranges from under $36,410 at the tenth percentile to more than $73,380 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $36,410 to $57,840.
The area has 40 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.80 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Phoenix records the highest median at $61,400. Of the 181 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 141st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,410 | −41.7% |
| 25th | $36,410 | −41.7% |
| Median (50th) | $37,570 | −39.9% |
| 75th | $57,840 | −7.4% |
| 90th | $73,380 | +17.5% |
| Mean | $46,950 | −24.8% |
Other metro areas in Arizona
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phoenix | $61,400 | 2,870 | |
| 2 | Flagstaff | $59,380 | 150 | |
| 3 | Prescott Valley | $57,990 | 130 | |
| 4 | Tucson | $49,990 | 580 | |
| 5 | Yuma | $48,590 | 80 | |
| 6 | Lake Havasu City | $38,470 | 80 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Sierra Vista sit close to the national average, so $37,570 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$37,570as reported by BLSLocal price level
100.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$37,309US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $37,570 a year, 39.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,410 to $73,380 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 40 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Phoenix, at $61,400.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Sierra Vista, AZ?
The median annual wage is $37,570, or $18.06 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 Sierra Vista, AZ is 39.9% 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 Sierra Vista, AZ earns more than $73,380 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,410 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 Phoenix, at $61,400 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 40 jobs in this occupation in Sierra Vista, AZ. 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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