Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Wisconsin
Chefs and Head Cooks in Wisconsin earn a median annual wage of $61,300 —1.9% below the national median of $62,470. That ranks WI #28 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 0.49× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in Wisconsin.
Highest-paying states for chefs and head cooks
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Wisconsin.
| Occupation | Wisconsin median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,600 | $31,200 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $29,670 | $35,230 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,550 | $37,390 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $39,670 | $44,080 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $34,070 | $35,320 |
| Bartenders | $23,460 | $34,340 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do chefs and head cooks make in Wisconsin?
The median annual wage for chefs and head cooks in Wisconsin is $61,300, or $29.47 per hour. That is 1.9% below the national median of $62,470.
What is the entry-level chefs and head cooks salary in Wisconsin?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $41,990 per year ($20.19/hour). The 25th percentile is $49,200.
How many people work as chefs and head cooks in Wisconsin?
About 1,860 people work in this occupation in Wisconsin, or 0.6 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Wisconsin a good state for chefs and head cooks?
Wisconsin ranks #28 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.49x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in Wisconsin.
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).