Chefs and Head Cooks Pay Range in Connecticut
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$44,530
- 25th Percentile — Junior$51,160
- 50th Percentile — Median$64,310
- 75th Percentile — Senior$77,800
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$99,870
Half of Chefs and Head Cooks in Connecticut earn more than $64,310. The top 10% make $99,870 or more, while entry-level workers start around $44,530.
Chefs and Head Cooks in Connecticut: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Connecticut ranks 13th of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks pay, at $69,680 per year (4.5% above the U.S. average of $66,700).
- 3,080 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in Connecticut — 1.5% of all U.S. Chefs and Head Cooks jobs.
- Location quotient 1.41: Chefs and Head Cooks jobs are more concentrated in Connecticut than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $44,530; the top 10% earn over $99,870.
- Hourly equivalent: $33.5 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Rhode Island at $84,860.
- Among hospitality jobs in Connecticut, First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation pays the most ($55,720).
Chefs and Head Cooks Job Market in Connecticut
Key factors affecting compensation
Connecticut's key industries are Finance, Insurance, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated strong. Chefs and Head Cooks here earn $69,680 on average, placing the state 13th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.22 (U.S. = 1.00), a Connecticut salary of $69,680 is roughly equivalent to $57,115 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, South Carolina ($70,780), Tennessee ($70,710), Georgia ($70,450) 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 Connecticut
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $55,720/yr Connecticut 20.0% vs this role
- Bartenders $51,020/yr Connecticut 26.8% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $46,320/yr Connecticut 33.5% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $46,220/yr Connecticut 33.7% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $42,110/yr Connecticut 39.6% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $37,640/yr Connecticut 46.0% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $36,360/yr Connecticut 47.8% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $36,330/yr Connecticut 47.9% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Connecticut?
The average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Connecticut is $69,680 per year (median $64,310), which is 4.5% above the national average of $66,700.
How does Connecticut rank for Chefs and Head Cooks pay?
Connecticut ranks 13th 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 Connecticut?
The lowest-paid 10% of Chefs and Head Cooks in Connecticut earn about $44,530 per year and the 25th percentile is $51,160.
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Connecticut?
About $33.5 per hour, based on the $69,680 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Chefs and Head Cooks work in Connecticut?
BLS counts 3,080 Chefs and Head Cooks jobs in Connecticut (OEWS May 2025).
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