Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Maine
Chefs and Head Cooks in Maine make a median of $55,860 a year, or about $26.85 an hour. The range runs from $45K at the entry level to $77K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Maine. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $56K get you in Maine?
About chefs and head cooks
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Maine
Entry-level chefs and head cooks (10th percentile) start around $45K. Mid-career wages sit at $56K. Top earners bring in $77K or more, a $32K spread from bottom to top.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary by metro in Maine
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewiston-Auburn | $58K | +4% | 70 |
| Portland-South Portland | $56K | +1% | 770 |
| Bangor | $53K | -5% | 120 |
Compare to other states
Track chefs and head cooks salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Maine numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do chefs and head cooks make in Maine?
The median is $55,860 a year, that works out to about $27 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $45,140, and experienced chefs and head cooks can clear $76,800. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $56K enough to live in Maine?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,698/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,281/month, which eats 34.6% 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 Maine?
Maine 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 $57,175 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.