Chefs and Head Cooks Pay Range in Michigan
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$42,170
- 25th Percentile — Junior$48,970
- 50th Percentile — Median$60,070
- 75th Percentile — Senior$74,090
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$82,000
Half of Chefs and Head Cooks in Michigan earn more than $60,070. The top 10% make $82,000 or more, while entry-level workers start around $42,170.
Chefs and Head Cooks in Michigan: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Michigan ranks 33rd of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks pay, at $62,460 per year (6.4% below the U.S. average of $66,700).
- 5,360 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in Michigan — 2.7% of all U.S. Chefs and Head Cooks jobs.
- Location quotient 0.95: Chefs and Head Cooks jobs are less concentrated in Michigan than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $42,170; the top 10% earn over $82,000.
- Hourly equivalent: $30.03 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Rhode Island at $84,860.
- Among hospitality jobs in Michigan, Waiters and Waitresses pays the most ($44,910).
Chefs and Head Cooks Job Market in Michigan
Key factors affecting compensation
Michigan's key industries are Automotive, Healthcare, Technology, and its job market is rated moderate. Chefs and Head Cooks here earn $62,460 on average, placing the state 33rd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.9 (U.S. = 1.00), a Michigan salary of $62,460 is roughly equivalent to $69,400 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Wisconsin ($64,210), North Carolina ($63,960), Alabama ($63,720) 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 Michigan
Related career salary benchmarks
- Waiters and Waitresses $44,910/yr Michigan 28.1% vs this role
- Bartenders $44,470/yr Michigan 28.8% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $42,050/yr Michigan 32.7% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $37,570/yr Michigan 39.8% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $37,370/yr Michigan 40.2% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $33,580/yr Michigan 46.2% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $30,400/yr Michigan 51.3% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $30,260/yr Michigan 51.6% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Michigan?
The average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Michigan is $62,460 per year (median $60,070), which is 6.4% below the national average of $66,700.
How does Michigan rank for Chefs and Head Cooks pay?
Michigan ranks 33rd 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 Michigan?
The lowest-paid 10% of Chefs and Head Cooks in Michigan earn about $42,170 per year and the 25th percentile is $48,970.
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Michigan?
About $30.03 per hour, based on the $62,460 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Chefs and Head Cooks work in Michigan?
BLS counts 5,360 Chefs and Head Cooks jobs in Michigan (OEWS May 2025).
Related Salary Pages
Explore more salary data