Chefs and Head Cooks Pay Range in Indiana
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$30,930
- 25th Percentile — Junior$39,110
- 50th Percentile — Median$52,190
- 75th Percentile — Senior$64,990
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$82,430
Half of Chefs and Head Cooks in Indiana earn more than $52,190. The top 10% make $82,430 or more, while entry-level workers start around $30,930.
Chefs and Head Cooks in Indiana: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Indiana ranks 47th of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks pay, at $55,060 per year (17.5% below the U.S. average of $66,700).
- 1,940 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in Indiana — 1.0% of all U.S. Chefs and Head Cooks jobs.
- Location quotient 0.47: Chefs and Head Cooks jobs are less concentrated in Indiana than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $30,930; the top 10% earn over $82,430.
- Hourly equivalent: $26.47 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Rhode Island at $84,860.
- Among hospitality jobs in Indiana, First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation pays the most ($46,380).
Chefs and Head Cooks Job Market in Indiana
Key factors affecting compensation
Indiana's key industries are Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare, and its job market is rated moderate. Chefs and Head Cooks here earn $55,060 on average, placing the state 47th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.85 (U.S. = 1.00), a Indiana salary of $55,060 is roughly equivalent to $64,776 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Idaho ($57,390), Oklahoma ($57,190), Mississippi ($56,910) 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 Indiana
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $46,380/yr Indiana 15.8% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $35,910/yr Indiana 34.8% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $34,150/yr Indiana 38.0% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $31,170/yr Indiana 43.4% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $30,720/yr Indiana 44.2% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,980/yr Indiana 47.4% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $28,590/yr Indiana 48.1% vs this role
- Bartenders $27,780/yr Indiana 49.5% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Indiana?
The average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Indiana is $55,060 per year (median $52,190), which is 17.5% below the national average of $66,700.
How does Indiana rank for Chefs and Head Cooks pay?
Indiana ranks 47th 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 Indiana?
The lowest-paid 10% of Chefs and Head Cooks in Indiana earn about $30,930 per year and the 25th percentile is $39,110.
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Indiana?
About $26.47 per hour, based on the $55,060 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Chefs and Head Cooks work in Indiana?
BLS counts 1,940 Chefs and Head Cooks jobs in Indiana (OEWS May 2025).
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