Chef salary
BLS occupation: Chefs and Head Cooks · also called head cook · Food service · data for May 2025
Median salary $62,470 a year, US
Median hourly pay $30.03 an hour
Middle half earn $48,440–$78,750 25th to 75th percentile
Chefs employed 200,040 +6.6% projected by 2035
How much does a chef make?
- The median chef salary in the US is $62,470 a year ($30.03 an hour): half of the 200,040 chefs BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $66,700.
- The middle half earn between $48,440 and $78,750. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $37,900 and the top 10% more than $98,560.
- That is 23% more than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- Rhode Island pays chefs the most (median $79,930), followed by Hawaii ($77,360) and the District of Columbia ($76,420). Louisiana pays the least ($45,570).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in North Dakota, where the median is worth $84,016 in typical US prices, then Wyoming and Rhode Island. Rhode Island's higher pay is offset by its prices (102.3 vs a US average of 100).
- In 123 of the 332 metro areas with data, the median chef salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of chefs to grow 6.6% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 25,200 openings a year. The typical entry education is a high school diploma or equivalent.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what chefs are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Chef salary range
Half of chefs earn between $48,440 and $78,750 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $37,900
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $48,440
Median Yearly pay: $62,470
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $78,750
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $98,560
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $37,900 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $48,440 |
| Median | $62,470 |
| Top 25% earn over | $78,750 |
| Top 10% earn over | $98,560 |
Chef salary by state
Rhode Island pays chefs the most; Louisiana the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($62,470), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $79,930 median |
| Hawaii | $77,360 median |
| District of Columbia | $76,420 median |
| Washington | $76,010 median |
| North Dakota | $74,740 median |
| New Jersey | $74,280 median |
| Wyoming | $73,170 median |
| South Carolina | $71,860 median |
| New York | $70,670 median |
| Tennessee | $69,810 median |
| Massachusetts | $69,540 median |
| Georgia | $66,230 median |
| Vermont | $65,440 median |
| Colorado | $65,400 median |
| California | $64,500 median |
| Missouri | $64,480 median |
| Connecticut | $64,310 median |
| Pennsylvania | $63,860 median |
| Oregon | $63,600 median |
| New Hampshire | $63,400 median |
| Virginia | $63,270 median |
| Minnesota | $62,600 median |
| Alabama | $62,400 median |
| Nevada | $62,380 median |
| New Mexico | $62,250 median |
| Maryland | $61,590 median |
| Delaware | $61,440 median |
| Wisconsin | $61,300 median |
| North Carolina | $61,130 median |
| West Virginia | $61,100 median |
| Nebraska | $60,510 median |
| Michigan | $60,070 median |
| Arizona | $59,890 median |
| Utah | $59,060 median |
| Illinois | $58,830 median |
| Oklahoma | $58,540 median |
| Kansas | $58,390 median |
| Florida | $58,240 median |
| Montana | $57,470 median |
| Maine | $57,010 median |
| Texas | $56,080 median |
| Mississippi | $54,850 median |
| Ohio | $53,990 median |
| Alaska | $52,190 median |
| Indiana | $52,190 median |
| Idaho | $52,000 median |
| South Dakota | $48,470 median |
| Kentucky | $48,070 median |
| Iowa | $47,990 median |
| Arkansas | $46,170 median |
| Louisiana | $45,570 median |
Where chef pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Chefs' pay goes furthest in North Dakota once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| North Dakota | $84,016 |
| Wyoming | $78,940 |
| Rhode Island | $78,148 |
| South Carolina | $76,651 |
| Tennessee | $75,988 |
| Washington | $71,029 |
| Missouri | $71,000 |
| Hawaii | $70,359 |
| Alabama | $70,252 |
| District of Columbia | $69,535 |
Chef pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $79,930 | $38.43 | $56,680 | $127,080 | 740 | $78,148 |
| Hawaii | $77,360 | $37.19 | $48,970 | $118,000 | 1,240 | $70,359 |
| District of Columbia | $76,420 | $36.74 | $56,570 | $104,660 | 2,020 | $69,535 |
| Washington | $76,010 | $36.54 | $49,920 | $95,990 | 5,320 | $71,029 |
| North Dakota | $74,740 | $35.93 | $48,240 | $85,190 | 100 | $84,016 |
| New Jersey | $74,280 | $35.71 | $49,200 | $100,100 | 9,100 | $68,269 |
| Wyoming | $73,170 | $35.18 | $48,460 | $98,580 | 240 | $78,940 |
| South Carolina | $71,860 | $34.55 | $47,640 | $88,880 | 2,650 | $76,651 |
| New York | $70,670 | $33.98 | $46,260 | $120,370 | 17,430 | $65,483 |
| Tennessee | $69,810 | $33.56 | $45,410 | $98,860 | 3,820 | $75,988 |
| Massachusetts | $69,540 | $33.43 | $47,460 | $99,270 | 6,000 | $65,755 |
| Georgia | $66,230 | $31.84 | $43,300 | $100,970 | 3,680 | $68,780 |
| Vermont | $65,440 | $31.46 | $48,950 | $83,040 | 610 | $66,804 |
| Colorado | $65,400 | $31.44 | $46,330 | $93,270 | 3,970 | $63,463 |
| California | $64,500 | $31.01 | $37,380 | $101,870 | 31,670 | $58,255 |
| Missouri | $64,480 | $31.00 | $39,650 | $91,500 | 1,750 | $71,000 |
| Connecticut | $64,310 | $30.92 | $44,530 | $99,870 | 3,080 | $62,069 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,860 | $30.70 | $39,040 | $95,830 | 9,170 | $65,449 |
| Oregon | $63,600 | $30.58 | $45,910 | $95,180 | 2,510 | $61,532 |
| New Hampshire | $63,400 | $30.48 | $40,220 | $95,990 | 1,170 | $60,865 |
| Virginia | $63,270 | $30.42 | $43,010 | $90,470 | 3,600 | $62,579 |
| Minnesota | $62,600 | $30.10 | $48,400 | $95,890 | 1,730 | $63,475 |
| Alabama | $62,400 | $30.00 | $39,940 | $85,990 | 1,000 | $70,252 |
| Nevada | $62,380 | $29.99 | $36,410 | $100,980 | 3,940 | $62,393 |
| New Mexico | $62,250 | $29.93 | $43,370 | $100,010 | 770 | $67,507 |
| Maryland | $61,590 | $29.61 | $38,310 | $100,330 | 3,220 | $58,680 |
| Delaware | $61,440 | $29.54 | $49,920 | $84,680 | 590 | $61,558 |
| Wisconsin | $61,300 | $29.47 | $41,990 | $87,570 | 1,860 | $65,147 |
| North Carolina | $61,130 | $29.39 | $38,210 | $92,210 | 4,920 | $64,807 |
| West Virginia | $61,100 | $29.38 | $40,520 | $88,690 | 350 | $68,270 |
| Nebraska | $60,510 | $29.09 | $39,650 | $99,990 | 540 | $67,156 |
| Michigan | $60,070 | $28.88 | $42,170 | $82,000 | 5,360 | $62,432 |
| Arizona | $59,890 | $28.79 | $33,970 | $95,240 | 4,080 | $59,487 |
| Utah | $59,060 | $28.39 | $27,940 | $79,420 | 1,740 | $59,739 |
| Illinois | $58,830 | $28.28 | $40,330 | $88,420 | 8,290 | $58,855 |
| Oklahoma | $58,540 | $28.14 | $28,920 | $77,450 | 1,430 | $66,642 |
| Kansas | $58,390 | $28.07 | $36,540 | $89,990 | 860 | $64,829 |
| Florida | $58,240 | $28.00 | $31,920 | $92,300 | 19,670 | $56,317 |
| Montana | $57,470 | $27.63 | $38,200 | $80,180 | 720 | $60,722 |
| Maine | $57,010 | $27.41 | $48,430 | $81,120 | 1,250 | $58,743 |
| Texas | $56,080 | $26.96 | $31,380 | $92,290 | 13,270 | $57,780 |
| Mississippi | $54,850 | $26.37 | $30,900 | $83,850 | 840 | $63,080 |
| Ohio | $53,990 | $25.96 | $38,370 | $89,960 | 4,000 | $58,195 |
| Alaska | $52,190 | $25.09 | $39,170 | $91,520 | 680 | $50,987 |
| Indiana | $52,190 | $25.09 | $30,930 | $82,430 | 1,940 | $55,920 |
| Idaho | $52,000 | $25.00 | $33,590 | $83,240 | 550 | $54,454 |
| South Dakota | $48,470 | $23.30 | $37,450 | $57,820 | 300 | $54,715 |
| Kentucky | $48,070 | $23.11 | $31,550 | $88,410 | 1,790 | $53,317 |
| Iowa | $47,990 | $23.07 | $36,770 | $74,730 | 1,640 | $54,682 |
| Arkansas | $46,170 | $22.20 | $33,500 | $87,730 | 880 | $53,107 |
| Louisiana | $45,570 | $21.91 | $32,320 | $86,750 | 1,990 | $51,663 |
After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Chef salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes chef pay: 336 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- Terre Haute, IN $85,920
- Kahului, HI $84,990
- Albany, NY $84,430
- Morgantown, WV $81,330
- Seattle, WA $80,330
- Providence, RI $79,340
- San Jose, CA $79,020
- Napa, CA $78,960
- Atlantic City, NJ $75,740
- Vineland, NJ $75,050
Where the pay goes furthest
- Terre Haute, IN $97,862
- Morgantown, WV $87,149
- Albany, NY $84,798
- Jackson, TN $81,008
- Spartanburg, SC $79,812
- Auburn, AL $78,276
- Vineland, NJ $78,203
- Providence, RI $77,958
- Florence, SC $77,846
- Kahului, HI $77,692
All 336 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terre Haute, IN | $85,920 | 50 | $97,862 | 14% |
| Kahului, HI | $84,990 | 250 | $77,692 | 45% |
| Albany, NY | $84,430 | 470 | $84,798 | 24% |
| Morgantown, WV | $81,330 | 70 | $87,149 | 20% |
| Seattle, WA | $80,330 | 3,740 | $72,283 | 34% |
| Providence, RI | $79,340 | 1,070 | $77,958 | 33% |
| San Jose, CA | $79,020 | 1,280 | $71,561 | 58% |
| Napa, CA | $78,960 | 300 | $70,153 | 44% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $75,740 | 900 | $76,616 | 32% |
| Vineland, NJ | $75,050 | 100 | $78,203 | 26% |
| Bremerton, WA | $74,940 | 140 | $70,961 | 33% |
| Washington, DC | $74,900 | 4,680 | $68,789 | 39% |
| Kingston, NY | $74,710 | 140 | $74,184 | 32% |
| Atlanta, GA | $74,660 | 2,370 | $74,617 | 30% |
| Honolulu, HI | $74,380 | 740 | $67,033 | 49% |
| Buffalo, NY | $74,290 | 640 | $77,511 | 23% |
| Charleston, SC | $74,210 | 770 | $73,503 | 33% |
| Kennewick, WA | $73,750 | 100 | $73,692 | 28% |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $73,690 | 240 | $75,181 | 32% |
| Wenatchee, WA | $73,690 | 80 | $70,955 | 29% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $73,570 | 460 | $68,257 | 43% |
| Spartanburg, SC | $72,670 | 140 | $79,812 | 24% |
| Boston, MA | $72,470 | 4,430 | $66,937 | 49% |
| Salinas, CA | $72,440 | 360 | $66,433 | 46% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $72,340 | 360 | $66,111 | 37% |
| Olympia, WA | $72,270 | 140 | $69,712 | 34% |
| Santa Fe, NM | $72,020 | 100 | $72,919 | 33% |
| New York, NY | $71,780 | 20,010 | $63,769 | 59% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $71,700 | 250 | $76,568 | 29% |
| Spokane, WA | $71,540 | 240 | $71,293 | 25% |
| Gainesville, GA | $70,780 | 40 | $73,146 | 29% |
| Nashville, TN | $70,420 | 1,780 | $73,097 | 31% |
| Bellingham, WA | $70,410 | 140 | $68,138 | 33% |
| Trenton, NJ | $70,210 | 480 | $68,046 | 43% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $69,990 | 11,430 | $61,629 | 50% |
| Burlington, VT | $69,920 | 200 | $69,263 | 44% |
| Columbia, SC | $69,820 | 280 | $74,545 | 27% |
| Greenville, SC | $69,680 | 360 | $74,716 | 27% |
| Jackson, TN | $69,280 | 60 | $81,008 | 24% |
| San Francisco, CA | $68,970 | 5,340 | $59,656 | 60% |
| Auburn, AL | $68,830 | 40 | $78,276 | 28% |
| Daphne, AL | $68,830 | 90 | $72,690 | 30% |
| Naples, FL | $68,830 | 640 | $66,696 | 45% |
| Walla Walla, WA | $68,120 | 40 | $69,144 | 26% |
| Augusta, GA | $68,070 | 230 | $74,067 | 26% |
| Barnstable, MA | $67,700 | 260 | $68,835 | 46% |
| Glens Falls, NY | $67,590 | 80 | $71,248 | 26% |
| Florence, SC | $67,550 | 70 | $77,846 | 27% |
| Warner Robins, GA | $67,530 | 40 | $72,002 | 27% |
| Springfield, MO | $67,460 | 80 | $76,153 | 22% |
| Sandusky, OH | $67,190 | 60 | $75,257 | 32% |
| Reading, PA | $66,980 | 210 | $69,009 | 28% |
| Denver, CO | $66,970 | 1,820 | $63,309 | 34% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $66,930 | 760 | $62,631 | 52% |
| New Haven, CT | $66,700 | 460 | $63,792 | 37% |
| Amherst-Northampton, MA | $66,450 | 150 | $66,289 | – |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $66,320 | 1,340 | $70,053 | 27% |
| Memphis, TN | $66,230 | 540 | $71,849 | 25% |
| Dalton, GA | $66,090 | 40 | $73,561 | 25% |
| Durham, NC | $66,090 | 270 | $67,735 | 30% |
| Rochester, NY | $66,080 | 690 | $68,099 | 28% |
| Wausau, WI | $65,910 | 30 | $71,138 | 17% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $65,900 | 70 | $75,124 | 30% |
| Portland, OR | $65,690 | 1,580 | $62,312 | 33% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $65,680 | 5,700 | $64,044 | 35% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $65,060 | 520 | $59,799 | 60% |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | $65,030 | 80 | $66,159 | 34% |
| Sumter, SC | $65,020 | 30 | $73,870 | 27% |
| Medford, OR | $64,700 | 120 | $63,786 | 34% |
| Worcester, MA | $64,620 | 560 | $63,030 | 39% |
| Jackson, MS | $64,480 | 120 | $72,410 | 27% |
| Riverside, CA | $64,480 | 2,770 | $60,578 | 47% |
| St. Louis, MO | $64,480 | 1,030 | $67,811 | 27% |
| Madison, WI | $64,300 | 270 | $66,093 | 33% |
| Charlotte, NC | $64,260 | 1,480 | $66,011 | 32% |
| Syracuse, NY | $64,170 | 240 | $67,024 | 30% |
| Dallas, TX | $64,100 | 3,550 | $62,179 | 31% |
| Ithaca, NY | $64,010 | 80 | $61,955 | 37% |
| Kansas City, MO | $64,010 | 890 | $69,168 | 29% |
| Huntsville, AL | $64,000 | 90 | $68,764 | 26% |
| Springfield, MA | $64,000 | 300 | $66,624 | 37% |
| Salem, OR | $63,750 | 210 | $61,506 | 31% |
| Savannah, GA | $63,700 | 260 | $66,908 | 33% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $63,690 | 280 | $69,634 | 28% |
| Sheboygan, WI | $63,430 | 40 | $67,469 | 25% |
| Elmira, NY | $63,410 | 40 | $67,173 | 22% |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $63,270 | 60 | $66,676 | 32% |
| Manchester, NH | $63,260 | 340 | $59,873 | 41% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $63,240 | 1,280 | $60,331 | 33% |
| Vallejo, CA | $63,230 | 170 | $58,288 | 47% |
| Allentown, PA | $63,220 | 570 | $63,240 | 35% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $63,160 | 590 | $69,861 | 26% |
| Longview, WA | $63,080 | 40 | $64,668 | 27% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | $63,050 | 150 | $66,480 | 24% |
| Binghamton, NY | $63,010 | 110 | $67,853 | 31% |
| Eugene, OR | $62,960 | 230 | $61,988 | 34% |
| Columbus, GA | $62,920 | 90 | $70,462 | 26% |
| Yakima, WA | $62,920 | 80 | $65,854 | 26% |
| Hartford, CT | $62,820 | 1,110 | $61,141 | 38% |
| Knoxville, TN | $62,770 | 470 | $67,809 | 33% |
| Birmingham, AL | $62,760 | 240 | $68,482 | 27% |
| Watertown, NY | $62,740 | 40 | $71,547 | 29% |
| Greeley, CO | $62,730 | 100 | $62,620 | 32% |
| Oxnard, CA | $62,620 | 480 | $56,652 | 57% |
| Rochester, MN | $62,520 | 90 | $68,839 | 31% |
| Bozeman, MT | $62,460 | 140 | $60,931 | 42% |
| Austin, TX | $62,400 | 1,710 | $63,631 | 31% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $62,380 | 3,430 | $62,246 | 33% |
| Pinehurst, NC | $62,260 | 90 | $70,481 | 36% |
| Omaha, NE | $62,240 | 330 | $67,718 | 27% |
| Norwich, CT | $62,220 | 330 | $61,944 | 40% |
| Appleton, WI | $62,200 | 90 | $67,302 | 23% |
| Cleveland, TN | $62,180 | 30 | $70,595 | 27% |
| Bend, OR | $62,110 | 180 | $59,948 | 43% |
| Reno, NV | $62,070 | 350 | $61,447 | 40% |
| Charlottesville, VA | $61,990 | 180 | $62,524 | 39% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $61,890 | 610 | $64,775 | 31% |
| Fresno, CA | $61,870 | 490 | $60,563 | 40% |
| Grand Junction, CO | $61,810 | 110 | $64,739 | 34% |
| Boulder, CO | $61,740 | 280 | $58,687 | 43% |
| Brunswick, GA | $61,600 | 90 | $70,233 | 33% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $61,580 | 570 | $63,526 | 30% |
| Pittsfield, MA | $61,580 | 180 | $64,749 | 34% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $61,400 | 2,870 | $59,429 | 34% |
| Orlando, FL | $61,390 | 2,360 | $60,532 | 38% |
| Modesto, CA | $61,330 | 170 | $58,910 | 40% |
| Montgomery, AL | $61,330 | 90 | $68,386 | 27% |
| Morristown, TN | $61,290 | 30 | $70,967 | 31% |
| Raleigh, NC | $61,190 | 820 | $62,339 | 33% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $61,090 | 250 | $60,409 | 39% |
| Utica, NY | $61,090 | 220 | $65,916 | 28% |
| Las Cruces, NM | $61,030 | 40 | $67,652 | 29% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $60,910 | 260 | $60,379 | 38% |
| Janesville, WI | $60,890 | 40 | $64,982 | 25% |
| Clarksville, TN | $60,880 | 100 | $66,940 | 26% |
| Detroit, MI | $60,870 | 2,660 | $60,689 | 30% |
| Chicago, IL | $60,770 | 6,840 | $58,661 | 43% |
| Scranton, PA | $60,750 | 450 | $64,934 | 27% |
| Pueblo, CO | $60,710 | 70 | $66,160 | 26% |
| San Diego, CA | $60,600 | 3,890 | $54,162 | 59% |
| St. Cloud, MN | $60,500 | 40 | $69,039 | 24% |
| Greenville, NC | $60,400 | 80 | $68,324 | 29% |
| Asheville, NC | $60,390 | 290 | $62,576 | 34% |
| Billings, MT | $60,200 | – | $64,367 | 28% |
| North Port, FL | $60,180 | 880 | $58,760 | 42% |
| Mankato, MN | $60,050 | 30 | $66,022 | 25% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $60,040 | 390 | $62,839 | 30% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $60,030 | 900 | $59,513 | 33% |
| Dover, DE | $59,990 | 80 | $61,524 | 36% |
| Johnson City, TN | $59,990 | 100 | $68,226 | 30% |
| Chambersburg, PA | $59,950 | 50 | $63,344 | 27% |
| Columbus, OH | $59,830 | 750 | $62,670 | 31% |
| Richmond, VA | $59,730 | 540 | $61,037 | 34% |
| Midland, MI | $59,700 | 30 | $64,947 | 28% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $59,690 | 400 | $60,507 | 30% |
| Lincoln, NE | $59,680 | 140 | $65,166 | 26% |
| Racine, WI | $59,640 | 40 | $62,150 | 29% |
| Albany, GA | $59,540 | 40 | $67,915 | 22% |
| Battle Creek, MI | $59,540 | 80 | $65,760 | 23% |
| Kenosha, WI | $59,530 | 50 | $58,872 | – |
| Hagerstown, MD | $59,510 | 40 | $63,194 | 33% |
| Jackson, MI | $59,510 | 50 | $64,841 | 24% |
| The Villages, FL | $59,510 | 130 | $69,664 | 35% |
| Hickory, NC | $59,480 | 110 | $67,220 | 32% |
| Salisbury, MD | $59,470 | 50 | $62,196 | 39% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $59,400 | 270 | $54,698 | 57% |
| Oshkosh, WI | $59,390 | 50 | $63,909 | 26% |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $59,380 | 150 | $59,188 | 43% |
| Baltimore, MD | $59,290 | 1,740 | $56,744 | 39% |
| Lansing, MI | $59,280 | 210 | $62,406 | 26% |
| Eau Claire, WI | $59,240 | 60 | $63,839 | 23% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $59,190 | 200 | $53,860 | 70% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $59,180 | 490 | $58,765 | 36% |
| Greensboro, NC | $59,160 | 280 | $63,705 | 29% |
| Waterbury, CT | $59,080 | 270 | $59,211 | – |
| Lexington Park, MD | $58,820 | 80 | $58,376 | 41% |
| Niles, MI | $58,570 | 120 | $63,408 | 29% |
| State College, PA | $58,560 | 120 | $60,520 | 40% |
| Green Bay, WI | $58,480 | 100 | $62,824 | 23% |
| Beaumont, TX | $58,440 | 120 | $64,900 | 27% |
| La Crosse, WI | $58,300 | 60 | $63,529 | 28% |
| Corvallis, OR | $58,240 | 90 | $55,991 | 37% |
| Hot Springs, AR | $58,240 | 40 | $67,934 | 25% |
| Tampa, FL | $58,240 | 1,720 | $57,726 | 41% |
| Mobile, AL | $58,130 | 100 | $65,983 | 26% |
| Wilmington, NC | $58,120 | 270 | $60,277 | 36% |
| Midland, TX | $58,100 | 100 | $60,658 | 32% |
| Lancaster, PA | $58,040 | 280 | $59,070 | 33% |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | $57,990 | 130 | $59,020 | 39% |
| Miami, FL | $57,940 | 8,210 | $50,756 | 55% |
| College Station, TX | $57,920 | 170 | $63,683 | 31% |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $57,920 | 40 | $65,809 | 26% |
| Sacramento, CA | $57,870 | 1,630 | $54,251 | 47% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $57,830 | 100 | $62,874 | 30% |
| Flint, MI | $57,800 | 110 | $62,128 | 22% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $57,730 | 530 | $58,944 | 39% |
| Visalia, CA | $57,600 | 160 | $57,701 | 36% |
| Provo, UT | $57,540 | 230 | $58,576 | 37% |
| Helena, MT | $57,510 | 40 | $60,110 | 34% |
| Merced, CA | $57,500 | 90 | $58,509 | 43% |
| Portland, ME | $57,380 | 780 | $56,333 | 48% |
| Roanoke, VA | $57,350 | 100 | $61,260 | 29% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $57,220 | 290 | $56,717 | 38% |
| South Bend, IN | $57,180 | 80 | $61,578 | 26% |
| Missoula, MT | $57,170 | 80 | $59,277 | 34% |
| Cleveland, OH | $57,020 | 930 | $60,709 | 30% |
| Traverse City, MI | $57,000 | 130 | $61,046 | 39% |
| Lubbock, TX | $56,950 | 100 | $62,365 | 28% |
| Lynchburg, VA | $56,930 | 90 | $63,706 | 27% |
| York, PA | $56,860 | 160 | $59,229 | 29% |
| Crestview, FL | $56,830 | 380 | $58,569 | 42% |
| Duluth, MN | $56,790 | 100 | $63,976 | 28% |
| Lexington, KY | $56,790 | 270 | $61,137 | 34% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $56,620 | 1,060 | $59,369 | 32% |
| Blacksburg, VA | $56,580 | 70 | $61,029 | 35% |
| Muskegon, MI | $56,580 | 70 | $61,155 | 27% |
| Redding, CA | $56,550 | 70 | $56,166 | 35% |
| Johnstown, PA | $56,440 | 70 | $65,682 | 19% |
| Lewiston, ME | $56,440 | 60 | $59,576 | 34% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $56,220 | 660 | $54,930 | 39% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $56,130 | 340 | $56,002 | 49% |
| Chico, CA | $55,990 | 110 | $55,328 | 33% |
| Bloomington, IL | $55,700 | 100 | $59,549 | 28% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $55,550 | 240 | $60,352 | 33% |
| Ocala, FL | $55,540 | 120 | $58,320 | 34% |
| Burlington, NC | $55,530 | 60 | $59,584 | 29% |
| Kingsport, TN | $55,360 | 100 | $64,039 | 29% |
| Stockton, CA | $55,210 | 320 | $52,536 | 53% |
| Fairbanks, AK | $55,130 | 90 | $53,416 | 40% |
| Akron, OH | $55,060 | 220 | $58,970 | 28% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $55,060 | 1,230 | $55,346 | 37% |
| Topeka, KS | $55,030 | 80 | $61,957 | 27% |
| Bangor, ME | $54,990 | 120 | $56,980 | 33% |
| Tulsa, OK | $54,930 | 520 | $61,571 | 30% |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $54,870 | 40 | $62,613 | 28% |
| Wheeling, WV | $54,400 | 30 | $61,592 | 19% |
| Fargo, ND | $54,390 | 40 | $59,854 | 24% |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $54,340 | 160 | $54,056 | 41% |
| Ogden, UT | $54,260 | 170 | $54,071 | 36% |
| Winchester, VA | $54,110 | 40 | $56,102 | 40% |
| Bowling Green, KY | $54,080 | 50 | $59,970 | 27% |
| Youngstown, OH | $53,570 | 120 | $61,297 | 23% |
| Huntington, WV | $53,240 | 80 | $60,211 | 24% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $53,060 | 220 | $56,495 | 33% |
| Killeen, TX | $53,000 | 110 | $58,157 | 30% |
| Jonesboro, AR | $52,970 | 40 | $61,682 | 28% |
| Columbia, MO | $52,870 | 60 | $59,114 | 33% |
| Lebanon, PA | $52,870 | 70 | $56,719 | 33% |
| Bloomington, IN | $52,760 | 100 | $55,488 | 40% |
| Sebring, FL | $52,760 | 40 | $57,056 | 35% |
| Deltona, FL | $52,110 | 330 | $52,442 | 41% |
| Tyler, TX | $52,050 | 90 | $56,480 | 30% |
| Gettysburg, PA | $52,000 | 50 | $54,519 | 32% |
| Saginaw, MI | $51,430 | 80 | $56,584 | 25% |
| Ames, IA | $51,360 | 60 | $57,818 | 27% |
| Erie, PA | $51,340 | 150 | $56,449 | 26% |
| Gulfport, MS | $51,240 | 230 | $56,930 | 33% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $51,230 | 220 | $56,079 | 37% |
| Logan, UT | $51,220 | 40 | $53,395 | 34% |
| Des Moines, IA | $51,210 | 460 | $55,845 | 30% |
| Toledo, OH | $50,790 | 220 | $55,536 | 30% |
| Lakeland, FL | $50,720 | 280 | $52,213 | 43% |
| Athens, GA | $50,330 | 60 | $53,919 | 42% |
| Texarkana, TX | $50,270 | 50 | $59,837 | 30% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $50,220 | 270 | $50,217 | 45% |
| San Angelo, TX | $50,190 | 50 | $54,287 | 32% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $50,150 | 120 | $55,334 | 30% |
| Macon, GA | $50,080 | 60 | $56,570 | 29% |
| Tucson, AZ | $49,990 | 580 | $51,591 | 36% |
| Odessa, TX | $49,820 | 70 | $53,059 | 38% |
| Canton, OH | $49,730 | 110 | $55,623 | 28% |
| Laredo, TX | $49,670 | 60 | $57,121 | 27% |
| Sebastian, FL | $49,660 | 200 | $50,515 | 51% |
| Sioux City, IA | $49,590 | 70 | $57,360 | 31% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $49,490 | 120 | $53,461 | 31% |
| Wichita, KS | $49,440 | 170 | $55,584 | 29% |
| Bay City, MI | $49,310 | 40 | $53,644 | 25% |
| Anchorage, AK | $49,190 | 280 | $46,661 | 46% |
| Altoona, PA | $49,040 | 60 | $54,789 | 25% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $49,010 | 960 | $51,214 | 37% |
| San Antonio, TX | $48,900 | 1,260 | $51,628 | 35% |
| Davenport, IA | $48,850 | 180 | $54,839 | 25% |
| Iowa City, IA | $48,760 | 160 | $53,284 | 43% |
| Pensacola, FL | $48,710 | 280 | $49,848 | 43% |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $48,670 | 40 | $51,551 | 35% |
| Manhattan, KS | $48,640 | 40 | $53,947 | 31% |
| Yuma, AZ | $48,590 | 80 | $52,413 | 35% |
| Rapid City, SD | $48,350 | 60 | $54,228 | 36% |
| Springfield, IL | $48,100 | 100 | $51,863 | 30% |
| Champaign, IL | $48,040 | 130 | $51,821 | 35% |
| Brownsville, TX | $47,850 | 120 | $55,656 | 38% |
| Abilene, TX | $47,840 | 60 | $52,941 | 50% |
| Williamsport, PA | $47,840 | 80 | $51,803 | 27% |
| Peoria, IL | $47,800 | 190 | $52,394 | 29% |
| Rockford, IL | $47,740 | 130 | $51,805 | 33% |
| Dubuque, IA | $47,690 | 70 | $54,610 | 27% |
| Alexandria, LA | $47,670 | 60 | $55,633 | 26% |
| Owensboro, KY | $47,620 | 30 | $53,741 | 31% |
| Dayton, OH | $47,580 | 210 | $51,330 | 33% |
| Panama City, FL | $47,540 | 200 | $48,861 | 44% |
| Boise, ID | $47,500 | 270 | $48,277 | 49% |
| Gainesville, FL | $47,380 | 250 | $48,980 | 42% |
| Kankakee, IL | $47,160 | 40 | $48,924 | 34% |
| Longview, TX | $46,870 | 90 | $52,377 | 29% |
| St. George, UT | $46,610 | 120 | $47,893 | 48% |
| Evansville, IN | $46,480 | 90 | $50,782 | 28% |
| New Orleans, LA | $46,400 | 660 | $50,110 | 41% |
| Louisville, KY | $46,310 | 750 | $49,756 | 35% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $46,150 | 150 | $49,800 | 37% |
| Hanford, CA | $45,800 | 60 | $45,073 | 51% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $45,570 | 290 | $50,198 | 36% |
| Houston, TX | $45,400 | 3,610 | $46,031 | 43% |
| Amarillo, TX | $45,370 | 80 | $49,412 | 35% |
| Lima, OH | $45,270 | 30 | $50,486 | 32% |
| Paducah, KY | $44,720 | 40 | $51,949 | 31% |
| Lawrence, KS | $44,700 | 80 | $49,533 | 42% |
| Waterloo, IA | $44,610 | 60 | $51,242 | 28% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $44,480 | 170 | $49,998 | 33% |
| Yuba City, CA | $44,340 | 70 | $42,539 | 55% |
| Little Rock, AR | $44,050 | 230 | $49,293 | 34% |
| Lake Charles, LA | $43,520 | 110 | $50,692 | 37% |
| Shreveport, LA | $43,240 | 130 | $51,011 | 36% |
| El Paso, TX | $43,020 | 320 | $47,847 | 42% |
| Sherman, TX | $43,020 | 40 | $45,878 | 38% |
| Slidell, LA | $42,930 | 100 | $46,298 | – |
| Hammond, LA | $42,680 | 50 | $50,533 | 37% |
| Waco, TX | $42,660 | 110 | $46,094 | 40% |
| Lafayette, LA | $42,060 | 180 | $48,229 | 40% |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $41,680 | 70 | $44,593 | 51% |
| Lafayette, IN | $40,300 | 60 | $43,134 | 44% |
| Monroe, LA | $39,990 | 80 | $47,837 | 35% |
| McAllen, TX | $39,140 | 230 | $45,567 | 34% |
| Houma, LA | $38,560 | 90 | $45,310 | 41% |
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | $38,470 | 80 | $40,883 | 48% |
| Muncie, IN | $37,920 | 40 | $43,019 | 33% |
| Sierra Vista, AZ | $37,570 | 40 | $42,099 | 41% |
What the median chef salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $62,470 |
| Month | $5,206 |
| Every two weeks | $2,403 |
| Week | $1,201 |
| Hour | $30.03 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a chef: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | 5 years or more |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +6.6% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 25,200 |
| Self-employed | 6.8% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Line cook | $37,390 | No formal education |
Questions about chef pay
How much does a chef make an hour?
The median is $30.03 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $18.22 and the top 10% over $47.39.
How much does a chef make a month?
About $5,206 a month before taxes at the median salary of $62,470, or $2,403 every two weeks.
What state pays chefs the most?
Rhode Island, with a median of $79,930. Hawaii ($77,360), the District of Columbia ($76,420), Washington ($76,010) and North Dakota ($74,740) follow.
Where do chefs make the most after cost of living?
North Dakota: its median of $74,740 is worth $84,016 at typical US prices. Wyoming, Rhode Island and South Carolina come next.
How much do entry-level chefs make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of chefs earn under $37,900 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $48,440, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a chef?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a high school diploma or equivalent. Work experience in a related job: 5 years or more. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 35-1011 (Chefs and Head Cooks). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.