Occupation hub
Chefs and Head Cooks
National OEWS median $62,470 , national employment 200,040 (May 2025). Top metros below use published metro medians only.
Highest-paying metros
| Metro | Median | Middle half | OEWS emp. | RPP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $84,430 | $63,570 to $93,600 | 470 | 99.6 |
| Seattle | $80,330 | $61,860 to $81,630 | 3,740 | 111.1 |
| Providence | $79,340 | $63,690 to $83,310 | 1,070 | 101.8 |
| San Jose | $79,020 | $56,390 to $97,240 | 1,280 | 110.4 |
| Washington | $74,900 | $59,930 to $80,060 | 4,680 | 108.9 |
BLS OEWS May 2025. RPP is BEA all-items (2024), US = 100.