SOC 35-1011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Chefs and Head Cooks — Winchester
Winchester, VA-WV · 7 metro areas compared
In Winchester, VA the median wage is $54,110.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Winchester, VA the median wage is $54,110. That is 13.4% lower than the national median of $62,470. Pay ranges from under $36,080 at the tenth percentile to more than $79,260 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $47,750 to $68,900.
Employment stands at 40, or 0.6 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Harrisonburg records the highest median at $63,270. Of the 257 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 130th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,080 | −42.2% |
| 25th | $47,750 | −23.6% |
| Median (50th) | $54,110 | −13.4% |
| 75th | $68,900 | +10.3% |
| 90th | $79,260 | +26.9% |
| Mean | $57,250 | −8.4% |
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 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Winchester sit close to the national average, so $54,110 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$54,110as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$53,521US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $54,110 a year, 13.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,080 to $79,260 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 40 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 Winchester, VA?
The median annual wage is $54,110, or $26.01 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 Winchester, VA is 13.4% 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 Winchester, VA earns more than $79,260 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,080 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 40 jobs in this occupation in Winchester, 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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