Chefs and Head Cooks Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$37,380
- 25th Percentile — Junior$46,320
- 50th Percentile — Median$64,500
- 75th Percentile — Senior$81,040
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$101,870
Half of Chefs and Head Cooks in California earn more than $64,500. The top 10% make $101,870 or more, while entry-level workers start around $37,380.
Chefs and Head Cooks in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 14th of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks pay, at $69,130 per year (3.6% above the U.S. average of $66,700).
- 31,670 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in California — 15.8% of all U.S. Chefs and Head Cooks jobs.
- Location quotient 1.35: Chefs and Head Cooks jobs are more concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $37,380; the top 10% earn over $101,870.
- Hourly equivalent: $33.24 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Rhode Island at $84,860.
- Among hospitality jobs in California, First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation pays the most ($52,810).
Chefs and Head Cooks Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Chefs and Head Cooks here earn $69,130 on average, placing the state 14th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $69,130 is roughly equivalent to $48,683 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Tennessee ($70,710), Georgia ($70,450), Colorado ($70,320) are the closest alternatives for Chefs and Head Cooks weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Hospitality Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $52,810/yr California 23.6% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $47,900/yr California 30.7% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $45,020/yr California 34.9% vs this role
- Bartenders $44,780/yr California 35.2% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $44,600/yr California 35.5% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $41,680/yr California 39.7% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $41,490/yr California 40.0% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $40,660/yr California 41.2% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in California?
The average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in California is $69,130 per year (median $64,500), which is 3.6% above the national average of $66,700.
How does California rank for Chefs and Head Cooks pay?
California ranks 14th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Rhode Island ($84,860/yr).
How much do entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Chefs and Head Cooks in California earn about $37,380 per year and the 25th percentile is $46,320.
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in California?
About $33.24 per hour, based on the $69,130 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Chefs and Head Cooks work in California?
BLS counts 31,670 Chefs and Head Cooks jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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