Chefs and Head Cooks Pay Range in Delaware
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$49,920
- 25th Percentile — Junior$56,160
- 50th Percentile — Median$61,440
- 75th Percentile — Senior$76,310
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$84,680
Half of Chefs and Head Cooks in Delaware earn more than $61,440. The top 10% make $84,680 or more, while entry-level workers start around $49,920.
Chefs and Head Cooks in Delaware: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Delaware ranks 24th of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks pay, at $66,590 per year (0.2% below the U.S. average of $66,700).
- 590 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in Delaware — 0.3% of all U.S. Chefs and Head Cooks jobs.
- Location quotient 0.95: Chefs and Head Cooks jobs are less concentrated in Delaware than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $49,920; the top 10% earn over $84,680.
- Hourly equivalent: $32.01 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Rhode Island at $84,860.
- Among hospitality jobs in Delaware, First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation pays the most ($52,160).
Chefs and Head Cooks Job Market in Delaware
Key factors affecting compensation
Delaware's key industries are Finance, Chemicals, Healthcare, and its job market is rated strong. Chefs and Head Cooks here earn $66,590 on average, placing the state 24th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.05 (U.S. = 1.00), a Delaware salary of $66,590 is roughly equivalent to $63,419 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, New Mexico ($67,080), Nebraska ($66,990), Minnesota ($66,910) 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 Delaware
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $52,160/yr Delaware 21.7% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $43,070/yr Delaware 35.3% vs this role
- Bartenders $42,890/yr Delaware 35.6% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $42,720/yr Delaware 35.8% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $39,190/yr Delaware 41.1% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $35,780/yr Delaware 46.3% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $34,290/yr Delaware 48.5% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $33,650/yr Delaware 49.5% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Delaware?
The average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Delaware is $66,590 per year (median $61,440), which is 0.2% below the national average of $66,700.
How does Delaware rank for Chefs and Head Cooks pay?
Delaware ranks 24th 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 Delaware?
The lowest-paid 10% of Chefs and Head Cooks in Delaware earn about $49,920 per year and the 25th percentile is $56,160.
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Delaware?
About $32.01 per hour, based on the $66,590 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Chefs and Head Cooks work in Delaware?
BLS counts 590 Chefs and Head Cooks jobs in Delaware (OEWS May 2025).
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