How much does a chef make?
The median chef in the United States earns $62,470 per year, about $30.03 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all chefs earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 35-1011.
Chef salary range
Pay for chefs spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $37,900 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $98,560. The average (mean) wage of $66,700 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $37,900 | $18.22 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $48,440 | $23.29 | |
| Median (50th) | $62,470 | $30.03 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $78,750 | $37.86 | |
| 90th percentile | $98,560 | $47.39 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for chefs and head cooks (SOC 35-1011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Chef salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Chefs earn the most in Rhode Island at $79,930 a year, and the least in Louisiana at $45,570. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $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 |
State median wages for chefs and head cooks (SOC 35-1011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for chefs
The BLS projects employment of chefs to grow 6.6% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 220,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 234,700 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 25,200 openings a year for chefs. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a chef
The typical entry-level education for chefs is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect 5 years or more of work experience in a related occupation.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a chef earns
Employer, region, seniority, and in many cases tips shape take-home pay. Fine dining, large venues, and high cost cities lift the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Rhode Island, $79,930) and the lowest (Louisiana, $45,570) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 200,040 people work as chefs in the United States. At $62,470 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Chef salary FAQ
How much does a chef make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a chef is $30.03. The middle half of chefs earn between $23.29 and $37.86 per hour.
What is the highest chef salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of chefs earn more than $98,560 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a chef make a year?
The median annual salary for a chef is $62,470. The average (mean) wage of $66,700 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a chef a well paid job?
At $62,470 a year, a chef earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 200,040 people work as chefs in the United States.
Which state pays chefs the most?
Rhode Island has the highest median salary for chefs at $79,930 a year. Hawaii ($77,360) and District of Columbia ($76,420) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a chef a good career?
Employment of chefs is projected to grow 6.6% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 25,200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a chef?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for chefs as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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