Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Urban Honolulu, HI
Chefs and Head Cooks in Urban Honolulu, HI make a median of $77,380 a year, or about $37.2 an hour. The range runs from $70K at the entry level to $125K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.96), so that salary is closer to $69,737 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,642/month — about 52.3% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $77K get you in Urban Honolulu?
About chefs and head cooks
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Urban Honolulu, HI
Entry-level chefs and head cooks (10th percentile) start around $70K. Mid-career wages sit at $77K.Top earners bring in $125K 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 Urban Honolulu numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do chefs and head cooks make in Urban Honolulu, HI?
The median is $77,380 a year - that works out to about $37.2 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $70,340, and experienced chefs and head cooks can clear $124,880. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $77K enough to live in Urban Honolulu?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,781/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,642/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 55.3% 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 Urban Honolulu?
Urban Honolulu has a Regional Price Parity of 110.96 (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 $69,737 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.