Chef Salary in 2026
Chefs plan menus, prepare meals, manage kitchen operations, and oversee culinary teams in restaurants, hotels, and catering businesses. They create recipes and ensure food quality and safety.
Median Salary
$62,470
$5,206/mo
Entry Level
$36,500
starting pay
Senior Level
$95,500
experienced
Job Growth
+6%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Chefs and Head Cooks (SOC 35-1011) at a national median of $62,470 per year (mean $66,700), or $30.03 per hour, with 200,040 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Chef Overview
Chefs plan menus, prepare meals, manage kitchen operations, and oversee culinary teams in restaurants, hotels, and catering businesses. They create recipes and ensure food quality and safety.
Education
Culinary Arts Degree
Experience
2-5 years
Industry
Hospitality
Total Jobs (US)
200K
5-Year Growth
+12%
Category
Hospitality
Hourly Rate
$30.03/hr
Monthly Pay
$5,206
Chef Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Chef salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Chef Salary
$75,000
$6,250/month · $2,885/biweekly · $36.06/hr
Chef Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Chef field.
Entry-level Chefs earn around $36,500, while the top 10% earn $104,350 or more.
Top Paying States for Chefs
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $74,000 | +$11,530 |
| New York | $72,000 | +$9,530 |
| Illinois | $65,000 | +$2,530 |
| Nevada | $62,000 | $-470 |
| Florida | $61,000 | $-1,470 |
Top Paying Cities for Chefs
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $74,000 | +$11,530 |
| Los Angeles | $70,000 | +$7,530 |
| Miami | $64,000 | +$1,530 |
| Las Vegas | $61,000 | $-1,470 |
| ChicagoBLS metro | $60,770 | $-1,700 |
Rows marked BLS metro are the BLS OEWS May 2025 median annual wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in that city's metropolitan statistical area (1 of 5); the remaining rows are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier.
Chef Salary by City
Published city-level wage and take-home pay guides for Chef.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Chef Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Chef from entry level to expert.
$36,500
0-2 years
$66,000
3-7 years
$95,500
8-14 years
$113,200
15+ years
Related Hospitality Jobs
Chef Salary FAQ
How much does a Chef make in 2026?
The median salary for a Chef in the United States is $62,470 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Chefs and Head Cooks (SOC 35-1011); the mean is $66,700. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $36,500, senior professionals around $95,500, and top earners at $113,200 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Chef?
A Chef typically requires a Culinary Arts Degree with 2-5 years of experience. Key skills include Culinary Arts, Menu Development, Food Safety. Relevant certifications such as ServSafe Certification or CEC can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Chefs?
The job market for Chefs is projected to grow by 6% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 200K Chef positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 12%, reflecting steady demand for this role.
Which states pay Chefs the most?
The highest-paying states for Chefs include New York, California, Florida. In New York, the median salary is approximately $72,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Chef salary?
To increase your Chef salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Culinary Arts and Menu Development. Pursue certifications such as ServSafe Certification. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like New York. With 2-5 years of experience, you can progress from $36,500 to $95,500 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Chef Salary
How we calculate Chef salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks (SOC 35-1011), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $62,470, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Chefs and Head Cooks; BLS mean $66,700; BLS hourly median $30.03.
- Entry-level ($36,500) and senior-level ($95,500) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +6% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 200,040 Chefs and Head Cooks jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 12% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Hospitality sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Culinary Arts Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $62,470; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Chef compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Chef job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Hospitality
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Chef salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Culinary Arts, Menu Development, Food Safety), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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