Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in New Jersey
Chefs and Head Cooks in New Jersey earn a median annual wage of $74,280 —18.9% above the national median of $62,470. That ranks NJ #6 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 1.65× as concentrated as the national average, making New Jersey a strong market for this occupation.
Highest-paying states for chefs and head cooks
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. New Jersey 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 New Jersey
Occupations in the same job family, compared within New Jersey.
| Occupation | New Jersey median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,150 | $31,200 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $44,960 | $35,230 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,460 | $37,390 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $48,420 | $44,080 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $35,540 | $35,320 |
| Bartenders | $44,020 | $34,340 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do chefs and head cooks make in New Jersey?
The median annual wage for chefs and head cooks in New Jersey is $74,280, or $35.71 per hour. That is 18.9% above the national median of $62,470.
What is the entry-level chefs and head cooks salary in New Jersey?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $49,200 per year ($23.66/hour). The 25th percentile is $59,860.
How many people work as chefs and head cooks in New Jersey?
About 9,100 people work in this occupation in New Jersey, or 2.1 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is New Jersey a good state for chefs and head cooks?
New Jersey ranks #6 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 1.65x as concentrated as the national average, making New Jersey 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).