Chefs and Head Cooks Salary by State
The national median pay for chefs and head cooks is $62,470 a year. By state, it ranges from $45,570 in Louisiana to $79,930 in Rhode Island.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $37,900
- 25th percentile
- $48,440
- Median
- $62,470
- 75th percentile
- $78,750
- Top 10%
- $98,560
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 200,040 jobs.
Median pay in 50 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island | $79,930 | +28% | $56,680 | $127,080 | 740 |
| 2 | Hawaii | $77,360 | +24% | $48,970 | $118,000 | 1,240 |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $76,420 | +22% | $56,570 | $104,660 | 2,020 |
| 4 | Washington | $76,010 | +22% | $49,920 | $95,990 | 5,320 |
| 5 | North Dakota | $74,740 | +20% | $48,240 | $85,190 | 100 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $74,280 | +19% | $49,200 | $100,100 | 9,100 |
| 7 | Wyoming | $73,170 | +17% | $48,460 | $98,580 | 240 |
| 8 | South Carolina | $71,860 | +15% | $47,640 | $88,880 | 2,650 |
| 9 | New York | $70,670 | +13% | $46,260 | $120,370 | 17,430 |
| 10 | Tennessee | $69,810 | +12% | $45,410 | $98,860 | 3,820 |
| 11 | Massachusetts | $69,540 | +11% | $47,460 | $99,270 | 6,000 |
| 12 | Georgia | $66,230 | +6% | $43,300 | $100,970 | 3,680 |
| 13 | Vermont | $65,440 | +5% | $48,950 | $83,040 | 610 |
| 14 | Colorado | $65,400 | +5% | $46,330 | $93,270 | 3,970 |
| 15 | California | $64,500 | +3% | $37,380 | $101,870 | 31,670 |
| 16 | Missouri | $64,480 | +3% | $39,650 | $91,500 | 1,750 |
| 17 | Connecticut | $64,310 | +3% | $44,530 | $99,870 | 3,080 |
| 18 | Pennsylvania | $63,860 | +2% | $39,040 | $95,830 | 9,170 |
| 19 | Oregon | $63,600 | +2% | $45,910 | $95,180 | 2,510 |
| 20 | New Hampshire | $63,400 | +1% | $40,220 | $95,990 | 1,170 |
| 21 | Virginia | $63,270 | +1% | $43,010 | $90,470 | 3,600 |
| 22 | Minnesota | $62,600 | 0% | $48,400 | $95,890 | 1,730 |
| 23 | Alabama | $62,400 | 0% | $39,940 | $85,990 | 1,000 |
| 24 | Nevada | $62,380 | 0% | $36,410 | $100,980 | 3,940 |
| 25 | New Mexico | $62,250 | 0% | $43,370 | $100,010 | 770 |
| 26 | Maryland | $61,590 | −1% | $38,310 | $100,330 | 3,220 |
| 27 | Delaware | $61,440 | −2% | $49,920 | $84,680 | 590 |
| 28 | Wisconsin | $61,300 | −2% | $41,990 | $87,570 | 1,860 |
| 29 | North Carolina | $61,130 | −2% | $38,210 | $92,210 | 4,920 |
| 30 | West Virginia | $61,100 | −2% | $40,520 | $88,690 | 350 |
| 31 | Nebraska | $60,510 | −3% | $39,650 | $99,990 | 540 |
| 32 | Michigan | $60,070 | −4% | $42,170 | $82,000 | 5,360 |
| 33 | Arizona | $59,890 | −4% | $33,970 | $95,240 | 4,080 |
| 34 | Utah | $59,060 | −5% | $27,940 | $79,420 | 1,740 |
| 35 | Illinois | $58,830 | −6% | $40,330 | $88,420 | 8,290 |
| 36 | Oklahoma | $58,540 | −6% | $28,920 | $77,450 | 1,430 |
| 37 | Kansas | $58,390 | −7% | $36,540 | $89,990 | 860 |
| 38 | Florida | $58,240 | −7% | $31,920 | $92,300 | 19,670 |
| 39 | Montana | $57,470 | −8% | $38,200 | $80,180 | 720 |
| 40 | Maine | $57,010 | −9% | $48,430 | $81,120 | 1,250 |
| 41 | Texas | $56,080 | −10% | $31,380 | $92,290 | 13,270 |
| 42 | Mississippi | $54,850 | −12% | $30,900 | $83,850 | 840 |
| 43 | Ohio | $53,990 | −14% | $38,370 | $89,960 | 4,000 |
| 44 | Alaska | $52,190 | −16% | $39,170 | $91,520 | 680 |
| 45 | Indiana | $52,190 | −16% | $30,930 | $82,430 | 1,940 |
| 46 | Idaho | $52,000 | −17% | $33,590 | $83,240 | 550 |
| 47 | South Dakota | $48,470 | −22% | $37,450 | $57,820 | 300 |
| 48 | Kentucky | $48,070 | −23% | $31,550 | $88,410 | 1,790 |
| 49 | Iowa | $47,990 | −23% | $36,770 | $74,730 | 1,640 |
| 50 | Arkansas | $46,170 | −26% | $33,500 | $87,730 | 880 |
| 51 | Louisiana | $45,570 | −27% | $32,320 | $86,750 | 1,990 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary questions
Which state pays chefs and head cooks the most?
Rhode Island, with a median of $79,930 a year (+28% vs. the national median of $62,470). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays chefs and head cooks the least?
Louisiana, with a median of $45,570 a year (−27% vs. national).
Where do most chefs and head cooks work?
California has the most jobs, about 31,670, with a median of $64,500.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.