Chefs and Head Cooks Pay Range in Maine
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$48,430
- 25th Percentile — Junior$55,070
- 50th Percentile — Median$57,010
- 75th Percentile — Senior$63,060
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$81,120
Half of Chefs and Head Cooks in Maine earn more than $57,010. The top 10% make $81,120 or more, while entry-level workers start around $48,430.
Chefs and Head Cooks in Maine: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Maine ranks 36th of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks pay, at $61,540 per year (7.7% below the U.S. average of $66,700).
- 1,250 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in Maine — 0.6% of all U.S. Chefs and Head Cooks jobs.
- Location quotient 1.52: Chefs and Head Cooks jobs are more concentrated in Maine than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $48,430; the top 10% earn over $81,120.
- Hourly equivalent: $29.59 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Rhode Island at $84,860.
- Among hospitality jobs in Maine, Bartenders pays the most ($58,520).
Chefs and Head Cooks Job Market in Maine
Key factors affecting compensation
Maine's key industries are Healthcare, Tourism, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated moderate. Chefs and Head Cooks here earn $61,540 on average, placing the state 36th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.02 (U.S. = 1.00), a Maine salary of $61,540 is roughly equivalent to $60,333 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Illinois ($62,810), Michigan ($62,460), Florida ($61,720) 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 Maine
Related career salary benchmarks
- Bartenders $58,520/yr Maine 4.9% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $51,260/yr Maine 16.7% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $50,620/yr Maine 17.7% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $45,240/yr Maine 26.5% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $43,520/yr Maine 29.3% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $42,960/yr Maine 30.2% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $36,740/yr Maine 40.3% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $35,880/yr Maine 41.7% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Maine?
The average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Maine is $61,540 per year (median $57,010), which is 7.7% below the national average of $66,700.
How does Maine rank for Chefs and Head Cooks pay?
Maine ranks 36th 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 Maine?
The lowest-paid 10% of Chefs and Head Cooks in Maine earn about $48,430 per year and the 25th percentile is $55,070.
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Maine?
About $29.59 per hour, based on the $61,540 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Chefs and Head Cooks work in Maine?
BLS counts 1,250 Chefs and Head Cooks jobs in Maine (OEWS May 2025).
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