Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Virginia
Chefs and Head Cooks in Virginia make a median of $59,780 a year, or about $28.74 an hour. The range runs from $44K at the entry level to $82K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Virginia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $60K get you in Virginia?
About chefs and head cooks
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Virginia
Entry-level chefs and head cooks (10th percentile) start around $44K. Mid-career wages sit at $60K. Top earners bring in $82K or more, a $38K spread from bottom to top.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary by metro in Virginia
9 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlottesville | $59K | -2% | 200 |
| Harrisonburg | $59K | -2% | 70 |
| Richmond | $57K | -4% | 760 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | $54K | -10% | 610 |
| Roanoke | $52K | -12% | 140 |
| Lynchburg | $52K | -13% | 100 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft | $51K | -14% | 30 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford | $49K | -17% | 90 |
| Winchester | $49K | -18% | 70 |
Compare to other states
Track chefs and head cooks salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Virginia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do chefs and head cooks make in Virginia?
The median is $59,780 a year, that works out to about $29 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $43,570, and experienced chefs and head cooks can clear $81,730. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $60K enough to live in Virginia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,929/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,646/month, which eats 41.9% 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 Virginia?
Virginia 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 $63,066 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.