SOC 35-1011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Chefs and Head Cooks — Tulsa
Tulsa, OK · 1 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Tulsa, OK is $54,930 a year, trailing the national median of $62,470 by 12.1%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Tulsa, OK is $54,930 a year, trailing the national median of $62,470 by 12.1%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $36,080 and $63,680. The lowest tenth earn under $27,040, while the highest tenth earn more than $77,070.
The area has 520 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.1 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Oklahoma City records the highest median at $63,160. Of the 521 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 243rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,040 | −56.7% |
| 25th | $36,080 | −42.2% |
| Median (50th) | $54,930 | −12.1% |
| 75th | $63,680 | +1.9% |
| 90th | $77,070 | +23.4% |
| Mean | $54,180 | −13.3% |
Other metro areas in Oklahoma
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oklahoma City | $63,160 | 590 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Tulsa run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $54,930 goes as far as $62,563 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 0.1% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$54,930as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$62,563US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $54,930 a year, 12.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $27,040 to $77,070 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 520 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Oklahoma City, at $63,160.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Tulsa, OK?
The median annual wage is $54,930, or $26.41 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 Tulsa, OK is 12.1% 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 Tulsa, OK earns more than $77,070 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $27,040 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 Oklahoma City, at $63,160 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 520 jobs in this occupation in Tulsa, OK. 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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