Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Napa, CA
Chefs and Head Cooks in Napa, CA make a median of $76,350 a year, or about $36.71 an hour. The range runs from $52K at the entry level to $123K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 112.55), so that salary is closer to $67,837 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,773/month — about 55.6% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $76K get you in Napa?
About chefs and head cooks
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Napa, CA
Entry-level chefs and head cooks (10th percentile) start around $52K. Mid-career wages sit at $76K.Top earners bring in $123K or more - a $71K 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 Napa numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do chefs and head cooks make in Napa, CA?
The median is $76,350 a year - that works out to about $36.71 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $51,800, and experienced chefs and head cooks can clear $123,230. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $76K enough to live in Napa?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,905/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,773/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 56.5% 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 Napa?
Napa has a Regional Price Parity of 112.55 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median chefs and head cooks salary is worth about $67,837 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.