Chefs and Head Cooks Pay Range in Minnesota
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$48,400
- 25th Percentile — Junior$53,050
- 50th Percentile — Median$62,600
- 75th Percentile — Senior$75,960
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$95,890
Half of Chefs and Head Cooks in Minnesota earn more than $62,600. The top 10% make $95,890 or more, while entry-level workers start around $48,400.
Chefs and Head Cooks in Minnesota: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Minnesota ranks 22nd of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks pay, at $66,910 per year (0.3% above the U.S. average of $66,700).
- 1,730 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in Minnesota — 0.9% of all U.S. Chefs and Head Cooks jobs.
- Location quotient 0.45: Chefs and Head Cooks jobs are less concentrated in Minnesota than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $48,400; the top 10% earn over $95,890.
- Hourly equivalent: $32.17 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Rhode Island at $84,860.
- Among hospitality jobs in Minnesota, First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation pays the most ($47,840).
Chefs and Head Cooks Job Market in Minnesota
Key factors affecting compensation
Minnesota's key industries are Healthcare, Finance, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated strong. Chefs and Head Cooks here earn $66,910 on average, placing the state 22nd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.0 (U.S. = 1.00), a Minnesota salary of $66,910 is roughly equivalent to $66,910 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Oregon ($67,510), Nevada ($67,380), New Mexico ($67,080) 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 Minnesota
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $47,840/yr Minnesota 28.5% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $43,050/yr Minnesota 35.7% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $40,210/yr Minnesota 39.9% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $34,010/yr Minnesota 49.2% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $32,450/yr Minnesota 51.5% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $30,730/yr Minnesota 54.1% vs this role
- Bartenders $30,680/yr Minnesota 54.1% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $30,060/yr Minnesota 55.1% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Minnesota?
The average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Minnesota is $66,910 per year (median $62,600), which is 0.3% above the national average of $66,700.
How does Minnesota rank for Chefs and Head Cooks pay?
Minnesota ranks 22nd 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 Minnesota?
The lowest-paid 10% of Chefs and Head Cooks in Minnesota earn about $48,400 per year and the 25th percentile is $53,050.
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Minnesota?
About $32.17 per hour, based on the $66,910 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Chefs and Head Cooks work in Minnesota?
BLS counts 1,730 Chefs and Head Cooks jobs in Minnesota (OEWS May 2025).
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