Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in California
Chefs and Head Cooks in California earn a median of $64,500 a year, +3% compared with the U.S. median.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
- Median pay
- $64,500
- vs. U.S. median
- +3% ($62,470)
- Rank among states
- 15 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 31,670
Pay range in California
The lowest-paid 10% earn under $37,380; the top 10% earn over $101,870. Nationally the range is $37,900 to $98,560.
States ranked near California
Similar jobs in California
- Food Service Managers$78,260 median in California
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$46,980 median in California
- First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$61,470 median in California
- Farm Labor Contractors$85,710 median in California
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$46,390 median in California
- Butchers and Meat Cutters$44,290 median in California
Chefs and Head Cooks pay in California
How much do chefs and head cooks make in California?
The median is $64,500 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $37,380 and the top 10% earn over $101,870. BLS OEWS May 2025.
Is California a good state for chefs and head cooks?
On pay alone it ranks 15 of 51 (+3% vs. the national median of $62,470). Living costs are not included.