Executive chefs at top restaurants earn $200K+. Median includes cooks and assistants.
Pay scales steeply with tenure for Chef / Head Cooks. National figures, before regional adjustments.
| Experience | Median 2026 | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (0–1 yr) | $47,300 | $34,300 | $67,200 |
| Junior (2–4 yrs) | $58,800 | $42,700 | $83,600 |
| Mid-Level (5–9 yrs) | $67,700 | $49,100 | $96,100 |
| Senior (10–14 yrs) | $81,200 | $58,900 | $115,300 |
| Veteran (15+ yrs) | $92,000 | $66,700 | $130,600 |
Top 10 states by median Chef / Head Cook salary in 2026.
| State | Median | 25th % | 75th % | vs Nat'l |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $98,200 | $74,600 | $127,600 | +45% |
| California | $96,100 | $73,100 | $125,000 | +42% |
| Washington DC | $94,800 | $72,000 | $123,200 | +40% |
| Hawaii | $88,000 | $66,900 | $114,400 | +30% |
| Washington | $88,000 | $66,900 | $114,400 | +30% |
| New Jersey | $85,300 | $64,800 | $110,900 | +26% |
| Massachusetts | $84,600 | $64,300 | $110,000 | +25% |
| Connecticut | $81,900 | $62,300 | $106,500 | +21% |
| Maryland | $81,200 | $61,700 | $105,600 | +20% |
| Nevada | $81,200 | $61,700 | $105,600 | +20% |
| State | Median | 25th % | 75th % | vs Nat'l |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | $57,500 | $43,700 | $74,800 | -15% |
| North Dakota | $56,900 | $43,200 | $73,900 | -16% |
| Oklahoma | $56,900 | $43,200 | $73,900 | -16% |
| Wyoming | $56,900 | $43,200 | $73,900 | -16% |
| Alabama | $56,200 | $42,700 | $73,100 | -17% |
| Louisiana | $56,200 | $42,700 | $73,100 | -17% |
| Arkansas | $54,200 | $41,200 | $70,400 | -20% |
| South Dakota | $54,200 | $41,200 | $70,400 | -20% |
| Mississippi | $52,800 | $40,100 | $68,700 | -22% |
| West Virginia | $52,800 | $40,100 | $68,700 | -22% |
Metro-level pay frequently outpaces state averages — major metros concentrate higher wages.
Click any state for detailed breakdown by experience level and percentile.
The median is just a benchmark. Your exact market value also depends on your state, experience, and education. Use the free calculator for a personalized number.
Get my personal Chef / Head Cook salary report →