All careers › Chefs and Head Cooks
Chef: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $37,900lowest 10% earn less
- $48,44025th percentile
- $62,470median
- $78,75075th percentile
- $98,560top 10% earn more
Chefs and head cooks earned a median of $62,470 a year in May 2025[1]. Entry usually takes a high school diploma plus five years or more of related experience[2], and jobs are projected to grow 6.6% from 2025 to 2035[3].
- Job growth, 2025–35
- +6.6%[3]
- Openings per year
- 25,200[6]
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent[2]
How much do chefs make?
The median pay for chefs and head cooks was $62,470 a year, or $30.03 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $66,700 a year, or $32.07 an hour[7].
The median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980[5]. So the chef median sits above that overall figure[1][5].
Here is how annual pay spread out[4]:
| Point | Annual wage | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile[4] | $37,900 | |
| 25th percentile[4] | $48,440 | |
| Median[1] | $62,470 | |
| 75th percentile[4] | $78,750 | |
| 90th percentile[4] | $98,560 |
BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[8]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $37,900[4]. The highest-paid 10% earned more than $98,560[4]. By the hour, the 10th percentile was $18.22 and the 90th was $47.39[9].
These wages cover full-time and part-time workers paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed and do not include bonuses or the cost of benefits[10].
Pay by state and city
Rhode Island had the highest median annual wage for chefs and head cooks at $79,930, followed by Hawaii at $77,360 and the District of Columbia at $76,420[11]. Louisiana had the lowest median at $45,570, then Arkansas at $46,170[11].
Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Kahului-Wailuku, HI had the highest median at $84,990[12]. Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY followed at $84,430, then Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA at $80,330[12].
The most jobs were in California (31,670), Florida (19,670) and New York (17,430)[13]. About 200,040 people worked as chefs and head cooks in the US in May 2025[14].
Show median pay in 50 states and DC
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island[11] | $79,930 | 740 |
| Hawaii | $77,360 | 1,240 |
| District of Columbia | $76,420 | 2,020 |
| Washington | $76,010 | 5,320 |
| North Dakota | $74,740 | 100 |
| New Jersey | $74,280 | 9,100 |
| Wyoming | $73,170 | 240 |
| South Carolina | $71,860 | 2,650 |
| New York | $70,670 | 17,430 |
| Tennessee | $69,810 | 3,820 |
| Massachusetts | $69,540 | 6,000 |
| Georgia | $66,230 | 3,680 |
| Vermont | $65,440 | 610 |
| Colorado | $65,400 | 3,970 |
| California | $64,500 | 31,670 |
| Missouri | $64,480 | 1,750 |
| Connecticut | $64,310 | 3,080 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,860 | 9,170 |
| Oregon | $63,600 | 2,510 |
| New Hampshire | $63,400 | 1,170 |
| Virginia | $63,270 | 3,600 |
| Minnesota | $62,600 | 1,730 |
| Alabama | $62,400 | 1,000 |
| Nevada | $62,380 | 3,940 |
| New Mexico | $62,250 | 770 |
| Maryland | $61,590 | 3,220 |
| Delaware | $61,440 | 590 |
| Wisconsin | $61,300 | 1,860 |
| North Carolina | $61,130 | 4,920 |
| West Virginia | $61,100 | 350 |
| Nebraska | $60,510 | 540 |
| Michigan | $60,070 | 5,360 |
| Arizona | $59,890 | 4,080 |
| Utah | $59,060 | 1,740 |
| Illinois | $58,830 | 8,290 |
| Oklahoma | $58,540 | 1,430 |
| Kansas | $58,390 | 860 |
| Florida | $58,240 | 19,670 |
| Montana | $57,470 | 720 |
| Maine | $57,010 | 1,250 |
| Texas | $56,080 | 13,270 |
| Mississippi | $54,850 | 840 |
| Ohio | $53,990 | 4,000 |
| Alaska | $52,190 | 680 |
| Indiana | $52,190 | 1,940 |
| Idaho | $52,000 | 550 |
| South Dakota | $48,470 | 300 |
| Kentucky | $48,070 | 1,790 |
| Iowa | $47,990 | 1,640 |
| Arkansas | $46,170 | 880 |
| Louisiana | $45,570 | 1,990 |
How to become a chef
The facts describe this path:
- First: a high school diploma or equivalent is typically needed to enter[15]. BLS also lists 5 years or more of related work experience as the typical requirement[2].
- Next: build kitchen experience. Chefs often start in other positions, such as line cooks, and learn from the chefs they work for[16]. Many spend years in kitchens before a promotion to chef or head cook[16].
- Then: consider added training. Postsecondary education is not always required, but many people choose a program at a community college, a technical or culinary school, or a 4-year college[15]. Others learn through apprenticeships or in the Armed Forces[17]. Some train on the job or under an experienced chef[18].
In an O*NET survey of 24 workers, 54% said an associate's degree or other 2-year degree was required, and 12% said a high school diploma or equivalent[19].
Culinary programs cover menu planning, food sanitation and purchasing and inventory methods[20]. Apprenticeships mix instruction with paid on-the-job training, and some are registered with the U.S. Department of Labor[21][22].
Some states and localities require a food handler's certification[23]. Other certifications are not required but may lead to advancement and higher pay[24].
What chefs do
Chefs and head cooks direct food preparation, and may take part in cooking too[25]. Some also plan and price menu items, order supplies and keep records[25]. Common tasks include[26]:
- Checking that staff follow sanitation standards and rules.
- Teaching cooks and other workers how to prepare, cook and present food.
- Supervising and coordinating the cooks and food preparation workers.
- Ordering the food and supplies the kitchen needs.
- Inspecting supplies, equipment and work areas.
- Checking the quantity and quality of deliveries and of raw and cooked food.
- Estimating the cost of ingredients and assigning prices to menu items.
OOH lists business skills, communication skills and creativity as useful qualities[27][28][29].
Where they work
Food services and drinking places were the largest employer group in 2025, at 64% of jobs[30]. Chefs also work in hotels and other food service establishments[31]. They usually stand for long periods in a fast-paced setting[31]. Kitchens are often crowded, and burns, falls and cuts are common hazards, though these injuries are seldom serious[32].
OOH says full-time work is the norm. Schedules can include early mornings, late evenings, weekends and holidays, and some chefs work more than 40 hours a week[33]. In 2025, 6.8% were self-employed[34]. Self-employed chefs who run a restaurant or catering business may find the work more stressful[35].
The OEWS wages above do not cover the self-employed[10].
Job outlook
BLS projects chef and head cook employment to grow 6.6% from 2025 to 2035, from about 220,300 to 234,700 jobs[3]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% over the same years[36]. These counts include self-employed workers, so they differ from the OEWS job count[3].
About 25,200 openings a year are projected on average[6]. Openings count jobs left by people who retire or change occupations, as well as new jobs[6]. Each year, 3.1% of workers leave the labor force and 7.3% move to a different occupation[37].
Is it a good fit?
Pay is above the all-occupations median, and jobs are projected to grow faster than average[1][5][3][36]. The way in is not quick, since the typical path asks for five years or more of related experience[2]. The work involves long stretches on your feet, a fast pace and often weekend and holiday hours[31][33]. It may suit someone willing to build kitchen experience over several years.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a chef make an hour?
- The median was $30.03 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $32.07[1][7].
- What degree do you need to be a chef?
- A high school diploma or equivalent is typically needed[15]. Postsecondary education is not always required[15].
- How long does it take to become a chef?
- BLS lists 5 years or more of related work experience as typical[2]. Many people spend years in kitchens before promotion[16].
- Is chef a job in demand?
- Employment is projected to grow 6.6% from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations[3][36]. About 25,200 openings a year are projected[6].
- What is the highest paying state for chefs?
- Rhode Island had the highest median annual wage at $79,930, followed by Hawaii at $77,360[11].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in the US was $62,470 per year and $30.03 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Chefs and Head Cooks: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: 5 years or more; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Chefs and Head Cooks is projected to grow 6.6% from 2025 to 2035, from about 220,300 to 234,700 jobs (a change of +14,400). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Chefs and Head Cooks: 10th percentile $37,900, 25th percentile $48,440, 75th percentile $78,750, 90th percentile $98,560. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: about 25,200 openings for Chefs and Head Cooks are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Chefs and Head Cooks was $66,700 per year and $32.07 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Chefs and Head Cooks: 10th percentile $18.22, 25th percentile $23.29, 75th percentile $37.86, 90th percentile $47.39. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Chefs and Head Cooks (areas with at least 100 jobs): Kahului-Wailuku, HI $84,990; Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $84,430; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $80,330; Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $79,340; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $79,020; Napa, CA $78,960; Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ $75,740; Vineland, NJ $75,050. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Chefs and Head Cooks jobs: California 31,670; Florida 19,670; New York 17,430; Texas 13,270; Pennsylvania 9,170. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 200,040 people were employed as Chefs and Head Cooks in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET 35-1011.00 survey of workers (24 respondents), education level they say is required: Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 54%, Post-Secondary Certificate 17%, High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 12%, Some College Courses 8%, Bachelor's Degree 8% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET description of Chefs and Head Cooks. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Chefs and Head Cooks. O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of chefs and head cooks in 2025: Food services and drinking places 64%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections: 6.8% of Chefs and Head Cooks were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Chefs and Head Cooks: 3.1% of workers leave the labor force each year and 7.3% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.