Chefs and Head Cooks

Occupation

$60,990
National Median Salary
$29.32
Median Hourly Wage
182,320
Total Employment

Salary Distribution

$36,000
$47,710
$60,990
$76,790
$96,030

10th percentile → 25th → Median → 75th → 90th percentile

Salary Trend (2014-2024)

+46.6%
10 Year Change
$41,610
2014 Median
$60,990
2024 Median
Best Paying Industries Industry Wage Growth Best Paying States Fastest Growing States Where This Career Pays Above Average

Top Paying Industries for Chefs and Head Cooks

Industry Annual Median Employment
Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities $101,300 50
Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) $90,560 1,340
Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers $87,030 —
Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) $86,840 1,890
Office Administrative Services $78,800 1,030

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Top Paying States for Chefs and Head Cooks

State Annual Median Employment
Hawaii $81,200 830
Rhode Island $79,160 700
North Dakota $76,630 90
District of Columbia $74,000 1,940
Massachusetts $71,330 5,330

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Related Occupations

Cooks, Private Household Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers Cooks, Restaurant Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

Explore Chefs and Head Cooks by State

Hawaii Rhode Island North Dakota District of Columbia Massachusetts Washington New Jersey California Delaware Wyoming New York Colorado Vermont Alabama Connecticut

Explore Chefs and Head Cooks by Industry

See how this career performs in specific industries

Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) Office Administrative Services Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods (4244 and 4248 only) Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods Facilities Support Services Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Management of Companies and Enterprises Rail Transportation Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations