Chefs and Head Cooks Pay Range in New Jersey
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$49,200
- 25th Percentile — Junior$59,860
- 50th Percentile — Median$74,280
- 75th Percentile — Senior$82,200
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$100,100
Half of Chefs and Head Cooks in New Jersey earn more than $74,280. The top 10% make $100,100 or more, while entry-level workers start around $49,200.
Chefs and Head Cooks in New Jersey: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- New Jersey ranks 8th of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks pay, at $72,930 per year (9.3% above the U.S. average of $66,700).
- 9,100 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in New Jersey — 4.5% of all U.S. Chefs and Head Cooks jobs.
- Location quotient 1.65: Chefs and Head Cooks jobs are more concentrated in New Jersey than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $49,200; the top 10% earn over $100,100.
- Hourly equivalent: $35.06 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Rhode Island at $84,860.
- Among hospitality jobs in New Jersey, First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation pays the most ($52,400).
Chefs and Head Cooks Job Market in New Jersey
Key factors affecting compensation
New Jersey's key industries are Pharmaceuticals, Finance, Technology, and its job market is rated strong. Chefs and Head Cooks here earn $72,930 on average, placing the state 8th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.28 (U.S. = 1.00), a New Jersey salary of $72,930 is roughly equivalent to $56,977 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, New York ($74,840), Washington ($74,670), Wyoming ($74,570) 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 New Jersey
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $52,400/yr New Jersey 28.2% vs this role
- Bartenders $51,440/yr New Jersey 29.5% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $50,260/yr New Jersey 31.1% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $44,110/yr New Jersey 39.5% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $40,770/yr New Jersey 44.1% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $37,340/yr New Jersey 48.8% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $35,240/yr New Jersey 51.7% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $35,110/yr New Jersey 51.9% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in New Jersey?
The average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in New Jersey is $72,930 per year (median $74,280), which is 9.3% above the national average of $66,700.
How does New Jersey rank for Chefs and Head Cooks pay?
New Jersey ranks 8th 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 New Jersey?
The lowest-paid 10% of Chefs and Head Cooks in New Jersey earn about $49,200 per year and the 25th percentile is $59,860.
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in New Jersey?
About $35.06 per hour, based on the $72,930 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Chefs and Head Cooks work in New Jersey?
BLS counts 9,100 Chefs and Head Cooks jobs in New Jersey (OEWS May 2025).
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