Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in California
Chefs and Head Cooks in California make a median of $66,780 a year, or about $32.11 an hour. The range runs from $46K at the entry level to $101K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $67K get you in California?
About chefs and head cooks
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level chefs and head cooks (10th percentile) start around $46K. Mid-career wages sit at $67K.Top earners bring in $101K or more - a $55K spread from bottom to top.
Chefs and Head Cooks pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $81K | +33% | 830 |
| Rhode Island | $79K | +30% | 700 |
| North Dakota | $77K | +26% | 90 |
| District of Columbia | $74K | +21% | 1,940 |
| Massachusetts | $71K | +17% | 5,330 |
| Washington | $70K | +14% | 3,840 |
| New Jersey | $70K | +14% | 6,060 |
| California | $67K | +9% | 26,500 |
| Delaware | $65K | +7% | 490 |
| Wyoming | $65K | +6% | 330 |
| New York | $64K | +5% | 15,420 |
| Vermont | $63K | +4% | 530 |
| Alabama | $63K | +3% | 1,280 |
| Connecticut | $63K | +3% | 3,600 |
| Maryland | $62K | +2% | 3,310 |
Track chefs and head cooks salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do chefs and head cooks make in California?
The median is $66,780 a year - that works out to about $32.11 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $45,500, and experienced chefs and head cooks can clear $100,580. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $67K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,410/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $2,201/month (median of metro areas), which eats 49.9% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a chefs and head cooks salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median chefs and head cooks salary is worth about $66,780 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do chefs and head cooks get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.