Chefs and Head Cooks Pay Range in Massachusetts
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$47,460
- 25th Percentile — Junior$54,120
- 50th Percentile — Median$69,540
- 75th Percentile — Senior$83,050
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$99,270
Half of Chefs and Head Cooks in Massachusetts earn more than $69,540. The top 10% make $99,270 or more, while entry-level workers start around $47,460.
Chefs and Head Cooks in Massachusetts: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Massachusetts ranks 7th of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks pay, at $73,420 per year (10.1% above the U.S. average of $66,700).
- 6,000 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in Massachusetts — 3.0% of all U.S. Chefs and Head Cooks jobs.
- Location quotient 1.28: Chefs and Head Cooks jobs are more concentrated in Massachusetts than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $47,460; the top 10% earn over $99,270.
- Hourly equivalent: $35.3 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Rhode Island at $84,860.
- Among hospitality jobs in Massachusetts, First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation pays the most ($52,600).
Chefs and Head Cooks Job Market in Massachusetts
Key factors affecting compensation
Massachusetts's key industries are Healthcare, Education, Technology, and its job market is rated very strong. Chefs and Head Cooks here earn $73,420 on average, placing the state 7th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.3 (U.S. = 1.00), a Massachusetts salary of $73,420 is roughly equivalent to $56,477 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, District of Columbia ($79,660), New York ($74,840), Washington ($74,670) 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 Massachusetts
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $52,600/yr Massachusetts 28.4% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $48,750/yr Massachusetts 33.6% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $45,450/yr Massachusetts 38.1% vs this role
- Bartenders $45,120/yr Massachusetts 38.5% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $44,480/yr Massachusetts 39.4% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $40,080/yr Massachusetts 45.4% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $39,220/yr Massachusetts 46.6% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $35,880/yr Massachusetts 51.1% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Massachusetts?
The average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Massachusetts is $73,420 per year (median $69,540), which is 10.1% above the national average of $66,700.
How does Massachusetts rank for Chefs and Head Cooks pay?
Massachusetts ranks 7th 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 Massachusetts?
The lowest-paid 10% of Chefs and Head Cooks in Massachusetts earn about $47,460 per year and the 25th percentile is $54,120.
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Massachusetts?
About $35.3 per hour, based on the $73,420 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Chefs and Head Cooks work in Massachusetts?
BLS counts 6,000 Chefs and Head Cooks jobs in Massachusetts (OEWS May 2025).
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