Chef / Head Cook Salary
Average pay, percentile breakdowns, and city-by-city comparison for Chef / Head Cooks in the United States.
Median Salary
$56,520
Mean Salary
$60,820
Employment
155,000
Category
Food Preparation
Salary Percentiles for Chef / Head Cooks
| Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly | Hourly (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th (Entry) | $33,560 | $2,797 | $16 |
| 25th | $41,890 | $3,491 | $20 |
| 50th (Median) | $56,520 | $4,710 | $27 |
| 75th | $75,090 | $6,258 | $36 |
| 90th (Senior) | $97,520 | $8,127 | $47 |
Chef / Head Cook Salary by City
| City | Adjusted Median | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | $64,998 | +15% |
| San Francisco, CA | $68,954 | +22% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $63,302 | +12% |
| Chicago, IL | $58,781 | +4% |
| Houston, TX | $55,390 | -2% |
| Austin, TX | $59,346 | +5% |
| Seattle, WA | $66,694 | +18% |
| Boston, MA | $64,433 | +14% |
| Denver, CO | $59,911 | +6% |
| Washington, DC | $65,563 | +16% |
| Miami, FL | $57,650 | +2% |
| Atlanta, GA | $58,216 | +3% |
| Dallas, TX | $57,085 | +1% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $59,346 | +5% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $55,955 | -1% |
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About Chef / Head Cook Salaries in 2025
The median annual salary for Chef / Head Cooks in the United States is $56,520, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This means half of all Chef / Head Cooks earn more than this amount, and half earn less.
At the entry level (10th percentile), Chef / Head Cooks earn around $33,560, while the highest earners (90th percentile) make $97,520 or more. There are approximately 155,000 Chef / Head Cooks employed across the country in the Food Preparation sector.