Chef / Head Cook Salary Calculator 2026
Calculate chef / head cook salary by city and experience level. The national average is $49,000 per year, ranging from $28,000 for entry-level to $90,000 for senior professionals.
Salary Calculator
Estimate your earning potential based on role, location, and experience.
5 years
Entry level20+ years
Estimated Chef / Head Cook Salary (US National Average)
Estimated†$51,000–$74,000/year
Median: $62,500 per year
Junior
$33,000
0-2 yrs
Mid-Level
$49,000
3-5 yrs
Senior
$76,000
6+ yrs
Chef / Head Cook Salary by City
Chef / Head Cook Salary Across All Cities
| City | Estimated Range | Cost of Living | |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | $58,000 – $84,100 | very high | Details → |
| Los Angeles, CA | $58,000 – $84,100 | very high | Details → |
| Chicago, IL | $48,000 – $69,600 | high | Details → |
| Houston, TX | $40,000 – $58,000 | moderate | Details → |
| Phoenix, AZ | $40,000 – $58,000 | moderate | Details → |
| Philadelphia, PA | $48,000 – $69,600 | high | Details → |
| San Antonio, TX | $34,000 – $49,300 | low | Details → |
| San Diego, CA | $58,000 – $84,100 | very high | Details → |
| Dallas, TX | $40,000 – $58,000 | moderate | Details → |
| San Jose, CA | $58,000 – $84,100 | very high | Details → |
| Austin, TX | $48,000 – $69,600 | high | Details → |
| Jacksonville, FL | $40,000 – $58,000 | moderate | Details → |
| Fort Worth, TX | $40,000 – $58,000 | moderate | Details → |
| Columbus, OH | $40,000 – $58,000 | moderate | Details → |
| Charlotte, NC | $40,000 – $58,000 | moderate | Details → |
| Indianapolis, IN | $34,000 – $49,300 | low | Details → |
| San Francisco, CA | $58,000 – $84,100 | very high | Details → |
| Seattle, WA | $58,000 – $84,100 | very high | Details → |
| Denver, CO | $48,000 – $69,600 | high | Details → |
| Nashville, TN | $40,000 – $58,000 | moderate | Details → |
| Washington, DC | $58,000 – $84,100 | very high | Details → |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $34,000 – $49,300 | low | Details → |
| El Paso, TX | $34,000 – $49,300 | low | Details → |
| Boston, MA | $58,000 – $84,100 | very high | Details → |
| Portland, OR | $48,000 – $69,600 | high | Details → |
| Las Vegas, NV | $40,000 – $58,000 | moderate | Details → |
| Memphis, TN | $34,000 – $49,300 | low | Details → |
| Louisville, KY | $34,000 – $49,300 | low | Details → |
| Baltimore, MD | $48,000 – $69,600 | high | Details → |
| Milwaukee, WI | $40,000 – $58,000 | moderate | Details → |
| Albuquerque, NM | $34,000 – $49,300 | low | Details → |
| Tucson, AZ | $34,000 – $49,300 | low | Details → |
| Fresno, CA | $40,000 – $58,000 | moderate | Details → |
| Mesa, AZ | $40,000 – $58,000 | moderate | Details → |
| Sacramento, CA | $48,000 – $69,600 | high | Details → |
| Atlanta, GA | $40,000 – $58,000 | moderate | Details → |
| Kansas City, MO | $34,000 – $49,300 | low | Details → |
| Omaha, NE | $34,000 – $49,300 | low | Details → |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $40,000 – $58,000 | moderate | Details → |
| Raleigh, NC | $40,000 – $58,000 | moderate | Details → |
| Long Beach, CA | $48,000 – $69,600 | high | Details → |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $40,000 – $58,000 | moderate | Details → |
| Miami, FL | $58,000 – $84,100 | very high | Details → |
| Oakland, CA | $58,000 – $84,100 | very high | Details → |
| Minneapolis, MN | $40,000 – $58,000 | moderate | Details → |
| Tampa, FL | $40,000 – $58,000 | moderate | Details → |
| Tulsa, OK | $34,000 – $49,300 | low | Details → |
| Arlington, TX | $40,000 – $58,000 | moderate | Details → |
| New Orleans, LA | $40,000 – $58,000 | moderate | Details → |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $40,000 – $58,000 | moderate | Details → |