Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Florida
Chefs and Head Cooks in Florida make a median of $59,580 a year, or about $28.65 an hour. The range runs from $31K at the entry level to $99K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Florida. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $60K get you in Florida?
About chefs and head cooks
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Florida
Entry-level chefs and head cooks (10th percentile) start around $31K. Mid-career wages sit at $60K. Top earners bring in $99K or more, a $68K spread from bottom to top.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary by metro in Florida
22 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naples-Marco Island | $75K | +26% | 600 |
| Wildwood-The Villages | $65K | +10% | 110 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers | $62K | +4% | 490 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater | $62K | +3% | 1,460 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford | $61K | +3% | 2,280 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin | $60K | +1% | 310 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota | $59K | -0% | 1,000 |
| Jacksonville | $58K | -3% | 930 |
| Tallahassee | $58K | -3% | 200 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach | $58K | -3% | 6,690 |
| Punta Gorda | $55K | -8% | 130 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach | $55K | -8% | 400 |
| Sebring | $54K | -9% | 30 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor | $54K | -9% | 180 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville | $54K | -10% | 310 |
| Port St. Lucie | $50K | -16% | 360 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent | $50K | -16% | 230 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven | $49K | -17% | 200 |
| Ocala | $49K | -18% | 140 |
| Panama City-Panama City Beach | $47K | -20% | 190 |
| Homosassa Springs | $46K | -22% | 70 |
| Gainesville | $46K | -22% | 160 |
Showing 1–10 of 22 metros
Compare to other states
Track chefs and head cooks salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Florida numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do chefs and head cooks make in Florida?
The median is $59,580 a year, that works out to about $29 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $31,040, and experienced chefs and head cooks can clear $98,960. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $60K enough to live in Florida?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,159/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,658/month, which eats 39.9% 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 Florida?
Florida 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 $60,438 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.