Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in California
Chefs and Head Cooks in California earn a median annual wage of $64,500 —3.2% above the national median of $62,470. That ranks CA #15 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is 1.35× as concentrated as the national average, making California a strong market for this occupation.
Highest-paying states for chefs and head cooks
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island | $79,930 | $38.43 | 740 | 1.15 |
| 2 | Hawaii | $77,360 | $37.19 | 1,240 | 1.53 |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $76,420 | $36.74 | 2,020 | 2.23 |
| 4 | Washington | $76,010 | $36.54 | 5,320 | 1.16 |
| 5 | North Dakota | $74,740 | $35.93 | 100 | 0.19 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $74,280 | $35.71 | 9,100 | 1.65 |
| 7 | Wyoming | $73,170 | $35.18 | 240 | 0.67 |
| 8 | South Carolina | $71,860 | $34.55 | 2,650 | 0.89 |
| 9 | New York | $70,670 | $33.98 | 17,430 | 1.40 |
| 10 | Tennessee | $69,810 | $33.56 | 3,820 | 0.91 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $42,280 | $31,200 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,080 | $35,230 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $44,880 | $37,390 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $46,980 | $44,080 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $39,350 | $35,320 |
| Bartenders | $36,220 | $34,340 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do chefs and head cooks make in California?
The median annual wage for chefs and head cooks in California is $64,500, or $31.01 per hour. That is 3.2% above the national median of $62,470.
What is the entry-level chefs and head cooks salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $37,380 per year ($17.97/hour). The 25th percentile is $46,320.
How many people work as chefs and head cooks in California?
About 31,670 people work in this occupation in California, or 1.7 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for chefs and head cooks?
California ranks #15 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 1.35x as concentrated as the national average, making California a strong market for this occupation.
Which state pays chefs and head cooks the most?
Rhode Island has the highest median wage at $79,930 per year, followed by Hawaii ($77,360) and District of Columbia ($76,420).