📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in New Jersey (2026)

New Jersey · 28.0% above national average · High Demand

Average
$85,376
per year
Median
$79,962
per year
Hourly
$41.05
per hour
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
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Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$52,394
25th Percentile — Junior$67,923
50th Percentile — Median$79,962
75th Percentile — Senior$102,864
90th Percentile — Top Earners$116,064
💡 Top-earning Chefs and Head Cookss in New Jersey make up to $116,064 per year. The job market in New Jersey is rated strong, with key industries including Pharmaceuticals, Finance, Technology.
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Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$73.6k
2021
$75.9k
2022
$78.1k
2023
$80.5k
2024
$82.9k
2025
$85.4k
2026
📈 Chefs and Head Cooks salaries in New Jersey have followed the national trend with 3.0% annual growth. The strong demand in New Jersey's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Chefs and Head Cooks Salary by City in New Jersey
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Newark $104,159 +22.0% High
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Chefs and Head Cooks Job Market in New Jersey
Key factors affecting compensation

New Jersey is home to a strong job market for Chefs and Head Cookss. The state's key industries — Pharmaceuticals, Finance, Technology — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $85,376 per year, New Jersey's Chefs and Head Cooks salaries are 28.0% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in New Jersey (index: 1.28) justifies the higher pay scale. Entry-level professionals in New Jersey can expect to earn $52,394–$67,923, while experienced Chefs and Head Cookss can command $102,864–$116,064.

Looking ahead, the Chefs and Head Cooks profession in New Jersey is projected to grow at 3.0% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Pharmaceuticals continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in New Jersey is $85,376 per year in 2026, which is 28.0% above the national average of $66,700.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Chefs and Head Cookss the highest wages in New Jersey due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • New Jersey has a strong job market with major industries in Pharmaceuticals, Finance, Technology. This makes it one of the better states for Chefs and Head Cooks employment.
  • At $85,376/year, New Jersey Chefs and Head Cooks salaries are 28.0% higher than the national average of $66,700/year.