Chefs and Head Cooks
SOC 35-1011 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Chefs and Head Cooks is $58,920, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $62,640, and an estimated 172,370 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +10.4% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of -6.2% (pay did not keep up with inflation). BLS projects employment will grow 7.1% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $58,920 | $58,920 | 172,370 |
| 2022 | $56,520 | $58,847 | 160,190 |
| 2021 | $50,160 | $56,404 | 129,810 |
| 2020 | $53,380 | $62,845 | 101,490 |
Nominal change
+10.4%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
-6.2%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+7.1%
Faster than average
Employment 2024
197,300
Projected 2034
211,300
Annual Openings
24,400
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Chefs and Head Cooks earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $58,920. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $94,030 | +59.6% | 580 |
| Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area | $93,020 | +57.9% | 140 |
| West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $78,040 | +32.5% | — |
| Massachusetts | $75,770 | +28.6% | 4,470 |
| Rhode Island | $75,590 | +28.3% | 500 |
| North Dakota | $75,400 | +28% | 120 |
| Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area | $72,640 | +23.3% | 430 |
| Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area | $70,770 | +20.1% | 140 |
| District of Columbia | $69,410 | +17.8% | 1,770 |
| Washington | $67,140 | +14% | 4,470 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$36,040
25th Pct
$45,590
Median
$58,920
75th Pct
$75,590
90th Pct
$93,900
H-1B Employer Filings
Employer-certified wages from DOL H-1B LCA filings — competitive market benchmark, not approved visas.
| Employer | State | Filings | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sai Restaurant Inc | MA | 2 | $60,299 |
| Agridulce LLC | VA | 2 | $62,400 |
| Rasika LLC | DC | 1 | $75,692 |
| Blue Bell USA LLC | NJ | 1 | $75,587 |
| Bowtie Hospitality LV LLC | NV | 1 | $121,908 |
| MDM Hotel Group | FL | 1 | $50,000 |
| Agora, Inc. | VA | 1 | $59,280 |
| CAKE AFFAIR, INC. | VA | 1 | $95,287 |
| Lizzat, LLC | GA | 1 | $78,000 |
| MARNIT INC. | TX | 1 | $62,400 |
| C-L Partners (Benu LLC) | CA | 1 | $80,000 |
| Bagalamukhi Everest Inc. | CA | 1 | $57,000 |
Source: DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification, H-1B LCA data.
Related Occupations in Food Preparation & Serving
Other occupations in the same SOC major group, ranked by national median wage.