Salary AI Book a Demo

Chef Cook Salary in the United States

How much does a Chef Cook make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chef Cook in the United States is $37,961 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $18.

However, a Chef Cook's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $42,943
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $34,383 to $40,569
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $31,126
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Chef Cook Salaries

A Chef Cook's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Chef Cook Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Chef Cooks. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $42,030.
  • California: $41,870.
  • Massachusetts: $41,312.

Top Paying Cities for Chef Cooks

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $47,880
  • San Francisco: $47,355
  • Oakland: $46,357

Chef Cook Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Chef Cook roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Healthcare sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Chef Cook positions in Transportation or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Chef Cook as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Chef Cook

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$47,451$23.025%
Healthcare$45,553$22.020%
Internet$45,553$22.020%
Software & Networking$45,553$22.020%
Energy & Utilities$41,757$20.010%

How Education impacts a Chef Cook's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Chef Cooks enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Chef Cook with a No Diploma is between $39,422 and $41,396).

Chef Cook Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Chef Cook
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 3.8%
High School 30.8%
Associates 42.3%
Bachelors 19.2%
Masters 3.8%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Chef Cook Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Chef Cook's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$34,383
Average $37,961/year
$40,569
$2,865
Average $3,163/month
$3,381
$661
Average $730/week
$780
$17
Average $18/hour
$20
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $40,569 $3,381 $780 $20
Average $37,961 $3,163 $730 $18
25th Percentile $34,383 $2,865 $661 $17

Most common benefits for Chef Cook

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Chef Cook

Here are companies hiring for Chef Cook and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Chef Cook Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Chef Cook job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Chef Cook

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Chef Cook?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Chef Cook roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst