Chefs and Head Cooks Salary (2025)
Based on 200,040 employed workers · BLS OEWS May 2025
Salary Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
10th Percentile Bottom 10% | $37,900 |
25th Percentile Lower quarter | $48,440 |
50th PercentileMedian Median | $62,470 |
75th Percentile Upper quarter | $78,750 |
90th Percentile Top 10% | $98,560 |
Salary Distribution
Annual Salary Range
10th
$38K
25th
$48K
Median
$62K
75th
$79K
90th
$99K
Highest Paying States for Chefs and Head Cooks
States with highest average wages · BLS May 2025
| State | Annual Mean |
|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $84,860 |
| Hawaii | $80,720 |
| District of Columbia | $79,660 |
| New York | $74,840 |
| Washington | $74,670 |
| Wyoming | $74,570 |
| Massachusetts | $73,420 |
| New Jersey | $72,930 |
| South Carolina | $70,780 |
| Tennessee | $70,710 |
Geographic Salary Variation
Chefs and Head Cooks salaries vary significantly across the United States. The highest paying state is Rhode Island at an average of $84,860 per year, while Tennessee has an average of $70,710 — a difference of $14,150. These geographic differences reflect variations in cost of living, demand, and local labor market conditions.
Highest Paying Metro Areas
Top cities by average annual wage
About Chefs and Head Cooks
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 200,040 workers were employed as Chefs and Head Cookss in the United States as of May 2025. This occupation is classified under Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations. The annual mean wage of $66,700 reflects data from employer surveys conducted by BLS.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 · SOC Code: 35-1011