Chef Salary
Chefs oversee food preparation, create menus, manage kitchen operations, and ensure food quality and safety standards in restaurants, hotels, and other food service establishments.
Chef Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level chefs earn around $35,000 per year, while mid-career professionals earn $56,000. Senior-level chefs can earn $88,000 or more.
Save More on Student Loans
Earning $56,520? You may qualify for student loan refinancing rates as low as 4.49% — potentially saving $14,000+ over the life of your loan.
Check Your Rate — No Credit Impact →Salary Percentile Breakdown
The salary range for chefs varies significantly. The bottom 10% earn $33,200, while the top 10% earn $97,800.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $33,200 |
| 25th Percentile | $42,200 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $56,520 |
| 75th Percentile | $75,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $97,800 |
Chef Salary by State
Chef salaries vary significantly by state due to cost of living, demand, and industry concentration. The highest paying state is Hawaii at $96,084, while Mississippi offers the lowest at $46,912.
| State | Median | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Hawaii | $96,084 | Details → |
| #2 California | $77,998 | Details → |
| #3 Massachusetts | $76,302 | Details → |
| #4 Alaska | $70,085 | Details → |
| #5 New York | $68,954 | Details → |
| #6 New Jersey | $64,998 | Details → |
| #7 Washington | $64,998 | Details → |
| #8 Connecticut | $63,302 | Details → |
| #9 Maryland | $62,172 | Details → |
| #10 Oregon | $62,172 | Details → |
| #11 Colorado | $59,346 | Details → |
| #12 New Hampshire | $59,346 | Details → |
| #13 Rhode Island | $59,346 | Details → |
| #14 Virginia | $58,781 | Details → |
| #15 Delaware | $57,085 | Details → |
| #16 Vermont | $57,085 | Details → |
| #17 Florida | $55,390 | Details → |
| #18 Maine | $55,390 | Details → |
| #19 Arizona | $54,824 | Details → |
| #20 Minnesota | $54,824 | Details → |
| #21 Nevada | $54,824 | Details → |
| #22 Utah | $54,824 | Details → |
| #23 Pennsylvania | $54,259 | Details → |
| #24 Illinois | $53,694 | Details → |
| #25 Montana | $53,694 | Details → |
| #26 Idaho | $53,129 | Details → |
| #27 Georgia | $52,564 | Details → |
| #28 New Mexico | $52,564 | Details → |
| #29 North Carolina | $51,998 | Details → |
| #30 Texas | $51,998 | Details → |
| #31 Wisconsin | $51,998 | Details → |
| #32 Wyoming | $51,998 | Details → |
| #33 Louisiana | $51,433 | Details → |
| #34 Indiana | $50,868 | Details → |
| #35 Michigan | $50,868 | Details → |
| #36 Nebraska | $50,868 | Details → |
| #37 North Dakota | $50,868 | Details → |
| #38 Ohio | $50,868 | Details → |
| #39 Iowa | $50,303 | Details → |
| #40 South Carolina | $50,303 | Details → |
| #41 Tennessee | $50,303 | Details → |
| #42 Missouri | $49,738 | Details → |
| #43 South Dakota | $49,738 | Details → |
| #44 Alabama | $49,172 | Details → |
| #45 Kansas | $49,172 | Details → |
| #46 Kentucky | $49,172 | Details → |
| #47 Oklahoma | $48,607 | Details → |
| #48 Arkansas | $47,477 | Details → |
| #49 West Virginia | $47,477 | Details → |
| #50 Mississippi | $46,912 | Details → |
Negotiate Your Way to Senior Pay
Data shows Chefs who negotiate earn 7–15% more. A single negotiation could add $31,480 over your career trajectory.
Get Negotiation Scripts — $197 →Key Responsibilities
- ● Plan menus and create recipes based on seasonal ingredients
- ● Oversee food preparation and ensure quality standards
- ● Manage kitchen staff, schedules, and training
- ● Control food costs, inventory, and ordering
- ● Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations
Top Skills
Education Required
High school diploma
Job Outlook
Faster than average — projected 5% growth over the next decade
Open to New Chef Opportunities?
Get matched with recruiters hiring chefs at competitive salaries. We'll connect you with opportunities — no spam, no job boards.
Or browse open positions directly: