Chefs and Head Cooks Pay Range in Hawaii
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$48,970
- 25th Percentile — Junior$54,530
- 50th Percentile — Median$77,360
- 75th Percentile — Senior$98,640
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$118,000
Half of Chefs and Head Cooks in Hawaii earn more than $77,360. The top 10% make $118,000 or more, while entry-level workers start around $48,970.
Chefs and Head Cooks in Hawaii: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Hawaii ranks 2nd of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks pay, at $80,720 per year (21.0% above the U.S. average of $66,700).
- 1,240 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in Hawaii — 0.6% of all U.S. Chefs and Head Cooks jobs.
- Location quotient 1.53: Chefs and Head Cooks jobs are more concentrated in Hawaii than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $48,970; the top 10% earn over $118,000.
- Hourly equivalent: $38.81 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Rhode Island at $84,860.
- Among hospitality jobs in Hawaii, Bartenders pays the most ($76,740).
Chefs and Head Cooks Job Market in Hawaii
Key factors affecting compensation
Hawaii's key industries are Tourism, Military, Agriculture, and its job market is rated moderate. Chefs and Head Cooks here earn $80,720 on average, placing the state 2nd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.55 (U.S. = 1.00), a Hawaii salary of $80,720 is roughly equivalent to $52,077 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Rhode Island ($84,860), District of Columbia ($79,660), New York ($74,840) 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 Hawaii
Related career salary benchmarks
- Bartenders $76,740/yr Hawaii 4.9% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $68,260/yr Hawaii 15.4% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $54,400/yr Hawaii 32.6% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $52,100/yr Hawaii 35.5% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $51,160/yr Hawaii 36.6% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $47,080/yr Hawaii 41.7% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $41,670/yr Hawaii 48.4% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $35,810/yr Hawaii 55.6% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Hawaii?
The average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Hawaii is $80,720 per year (median $77,360), which is 21.0% above the national average of $66,700.
How does Hawaii rank for Chefs and Head Cooks pay?
Hawaii ranks 2nd 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 Hawaii?
The lowest-paid 10% of Chefs and Head Cooks in Hawaii earn about $48,970 per year and the 25th percentile is $54,530.
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Hawaii?
About $38.81 per hour, based on the $80,720 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Chefs and Head Cooks work in Hawaii?
BLS counts 1,240 Chefs and Head Cooks jobs in Hawaii (OEWS May 2025).
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