Highest-paying cities for chefs and head cooks
Terre Haute, IN leads at $85,920 a year. Pay is not adjusted for local prices; see each page for the cost-of-living view.
| Place | Median | 25th–75th |
|---|---|---|
| Terre Haute, IN | $85,920 | $42,070–$98,510 |
| Kahului, HI | $84,990 | $76,170–$103,890 |
| Albany, NY | $84,430 | $63,570–$93,600 |
| Morgantown, WV | $81,330 | $47,460–$94,890 |
| Seattle, WA | $80,330 | $61,860–$81,630 |
| Providence, RI | $79,340 | $63,690–$83,310 |
| San Jose, CA | $79,020 | $56,390–$97,240 |
| Napa, CA | $78,960 | $60,740–$98,580 |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $75,740 | $62,300–$95,350 |
| Vineland, NJ | $75,050 | $45,970–$92,890 |
| Bremerton, WA | $74,940 | $55,190–$77,030 |
| Washington, DC | $74,900 | $59,930–$80,060 |
| Kingston, NY | $74,710 | $60,190–$96,840 |
| Atlanta, GA | $74,660 | $52,550–$100,970 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $74,380 | $48,970–$94,730 |
| Buffalo, NY | $74,290 | $59,010–$92,080 |
| Charleston, SC | $74,210 | $60,290–$80,430 |
| Kennewick, WA | $73,750 | $54,660–$75,580 |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $73,690 | $64,450–$85,910 |
| Wenatchee, WA | $73,690 | $62,260–$75,710 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $73,570 | $46,200–$81,150 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $72,670 | $61,080–$77,900 |
| Boston, MA | $72,470 | $56,790–$85,000 |
| Salinas, CA | $72,440 | $59,190–$91,380 |
| Kiryas Joel, NY | $72,340 | $54,920–$92,550 |
| Olympia, WA | $72,270 | $53,930–$76,010 |
| Santa Fe, NM | $72,020 | $56,550–$91,010 |
| New York, NY | $71,780 | $55,070–$89,860 |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $71,700 | $58,500–$77,020 |
| Spokane, WA | $71,540 | $53,460–$74,320 |
| Gainesville, GA | $70,780 | $52,940–$74,950 |
| Nashville, TN | $70,420 | $58,220–$83,010 |
| Bellingham, WA | $70,410 | $50,900–$75,200 |
| Trenton, NJ | $70,210 | $49,420–$84,150 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $69,990 | $48,310–$80,850 |
| Burlington, VT | $69,920 | $59,090–$77,360 |
| Columbia, SC | $69,820 | $55,120–$79,250 |
| Greenville, SC | $69,680 | $56,870–$74,490 |
| Jackson, TN | $69,280 | $50,780–$80,880 |
| San Francisco, CA | $68,970 | $48,110–$90,530 |
| Auburn, AL | $68,830 | $50,300–$71,820 |
| Daphne, AL | $68,830 | $50,740–$72,760 |
| Naples, FL | $68,830 | $49,760–$83,560 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $68,120 | $51,380–$73,260 |
| Augusta, GA | $68,070 | $51,510–$75,590 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $67,700 | $54,840–$82,470 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $67,590 | $49,860–$80,420 |
| Florence, SC | $67,550 | $47,370–$73,580 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $67,530 | $44,000–$88,080 |
| Springfield, MO | $67,460 | $46,600–$74,040 |
Data period: BLS OEWS May 2025.