Chefs and Head Cooks Pay Range in Florida
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$31,920
- 25th Percentile — Junior$43,680
- 50th Percentile — Median$58,240
- 75th Percentile — Senior$75,840
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$92,300
Half of Chefs and Head Cooks in Florida earn more than $58,240. The top 10% make $92,300 or more, while entry-level workers start around $31,920.
Chefs and Head Cooks in Florida: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Florida ranks 34th of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks pay, at $61,720 per year (7.5% below the U.S. average of $66,700).
- 19,670 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in Florida — 9.8% of all U.S. Chefs and Head Cooks jobs.
- Location quotient 1.54: Chefs and Head Cooks jobs are more concentrated in Florida than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $31,920; the top 10% earn over $92,300.
- Hourly equivalent: $29.67 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Rhode Island at $84,860.
- Among hospitality jobs in Florida, First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation pays the most ($46,600).
Chefs and Head Cooks Job Market in Florida
Key factors affecting compensation
Florida's key industries are Tourism, Healthcare, Real Estate, and its job market is rated strong. Chefs and Head Cooks here earn $61,720 on average, placing the state 34th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.98 (U.S. = 1.00), a Florida salary of $61,720 is roughly equivalent to $62,980 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, North Carolina ($63,960), Alabama ($63,720), Illinois ($62,810) 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 Florida
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $46,600/yr Florida 24.5% vs this role
- Bartenders $42,280/yr Florida 31.5% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $41,840/yr Florida 32.2% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $38,320/yr Florida 37.9% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $38,170/yr Florida 38.2% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $35,130/yr Florida 43.1% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $32,230/yr Florida 47.8% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $30,940/yr Florida 49.9% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Florida?
The average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Florida is $61,720 per year (median $58,240), which is 7.5% below the national average of $66,700.
How does Florida rank for Chefs and Head Cooks pay?
Florida ranks 34th 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 Florida?
The lowest-paid 10% of Chefs and Head Cooks in Florida earn about $31,920 per year and the 25th percentile is $43,680.
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Florida?
About $29.67 per hour, based on the $61,720 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Chefs and Head Cooks work in Florida?
BLS counts 19,670 Chefs and Head Cooks jobs in Florida (OEWS May 2025).
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