Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Virginia
Chefs and Head Cooks in Virginia earn a median annual wage of $63,270 —1.3% above the national median of $62,470. That ranks VA #21 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 only 0.68× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in Virginia.
Highest-paying states for chefs and head cooks
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. Virginia 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 Virginia
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Virginia.
| Occupation | Virginia median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $30,110 | $31,200 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $44,760 | $35,230 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,750 | $37,390 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,550 | $44,080 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $34,900 | $35,320 |
| Bartenders | $47,070 | $34,340 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do chefs and head cooks make in Virginia?
The median annual wage for chefs and head cooks in Virginia is $63,270, or $30.42 per hour. That is 1.3% above the national median of $62,470.
What is the entry-level chefs and head cooks salary in Virginia?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $43,010 per year ($20.68/hour). The 25th percentile is $50,170.
How many people work as chefs and head cooks in Virginia?
About 3,600 people work in this occupation in Virginia, or 0.9 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Virginia a good state for chefs and head cooks?
Virginia ranks #21 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.68x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in Virginia.
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).