Highest-paying states for chefs and head cooks
Rhode Island leads at $79,930 a year. Pay is not adjusted for local prices; see each page for the cost-of-living view.
| Place | Median | 25th–75th |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $79,930 | $71,630–$96,180 |
| Hawaii | $77,360 | $54,530–$98,640 |
| District of Columbia | $76,420 | $63,550–$81,360 |
| Washington | $76,010 | $58,650–$81,540 |
| North Dakota | $74,740 | $48,940–$78,700 |
| New Jersey | $74,280 | $59,860–$82,200 |
| Wyoming | $73,170 | $62,100–$83,700 |
| South Carolina | $71,860 | $60,120–$79,050 |
| New York | $70,670 | $55,070–$93,240 |
| Tennessee | $69,810 | $57,470–$81,900 |
| Massachusetts | $69,540 | $54,120–$83,050 |
| Georgia | $66,230 | $50,220–$90,350 |
| Vermont | $65,440 | $56,770–$77,360 |
| Colorado | $65,400 | $58,220–$79,420 |
| California | $64,500 | $46,320–$81,040 |
| Missouri | $64,480 | $49,550–$76,520 |
| Connecticut | $64,310 | $51,160–$77,800 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,860 | $49,280–$81,790 |
| Oregon | $63,600 | $53,660–$77,420 |
| New Hampshire | $63,400 | $52,510–$76,300 |
| Virginia | $63,270 | $50,170–$77,270 |
| Minnesota | $62,600 | $53,050–$75,960 |
| Alabama | $62,400 | $50,900–$74,130 |
| Nevada | $62,380 | $49,920–$78,650 |
| New Mexico | $62,250 | $48,540–$83,260 |
| Maryland | $61,590 | $45,030–$78,590 |
| Delaware | $61,440 | $56,160–$76,310 |
| Wisconsin | $61,300 | $49,200–$74,080 |
| North Carolina | $61,130 | $48,360–$76,330 |
| West Virginia | $61,100 | $47,990–$82,480 |
| Nebraska | $60,510 | $46,020–$81,660 |
| Michigan | $60,070 | $48,970–$74,090 |
| Arizona | $59,890 | $38,480–$74,990 |
| Utah | $59,060 | $41,750–$75,830 |
| Illinois | $58,830 | $50,000–$73,620 |
| Oklahoma | $58,540 | $37,840–$67,560 |
| Kansas | $58,390 | $43,990–$74,990 |
| Florida | $58,240 | $43,680–$75,840 |
| Montana | $57,470 | $48,890–$72,020 |
| Maine | $57,010 | $55,070–$63,060 |
| Texas | $56,080 | $42,030–$71,870 |
| Mississippi | $54,850 | $37,180–$76,350 |
| Ohio | $53,990 | $45,760–$74,130 |
| Alaska | $52,190 | $41,390–$73,120 |
| Indiana | $52,190 | $39,110–$64,990 |
| Idaho | $52,000 | $42,330–$66,930 |
| South Dakota | $48,470 | $39,650–$51,870 |
| Kentucky | $48,070 | $36,850–$66,770 |
| Iowa | $47,990 | $42,620–$59,380 |
| Arkansas | $46,170 | $39,430–$64,970 |
| Louisiana | $45,570 | $39,650–$59,020 |
Data period: BLS OEWS May 2025.