BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Chefs and Head Cooks in North Dakota

$68,520 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$32.94 per hour

▲ 2.7% above U.S. average15th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$68,520per year
Median$74,740per year
Hourly$32.94per hour
10th – 90th percentile$48,240 – $85,190per year

Chefs and Head Cooks Pay Range in North Dakota

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$48,240
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$48,940
  • 50th Percentile — Median$74,740
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$78,700
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$85,190

Half of Chefs and Head Cooks in North Dakota earn more than $74,740. The top 10% make $85,190 or more, while entry-level workers start around $48,240.

Chefs and Head Cooks in North Dakota: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • North Dakota ranks 15th of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks pay, at $68,520 per year (2.7% above the U.S. average of $66,700).
  • 100 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in North Dakota — 0.0% of all U.S. Chefs and Head Cooks jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.19: Chefs and Head Cooks jobs are less concentrated in North Dakota than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $48,240; the top 10% earn over $85,190.
  • Hourly equivalent: $32.94 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Rhode Island at $84,860.
  • Among hospitality jobs in North Dakota, First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation pays the most ($45,290).

Chefs and Head Cooks Job Market in North Dakota

Key factors affecting compensation

North Dakota's key industries are Energy, Agriculture, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated strong. Chefs and Head Cooks here earn $68,520 on average, placing the state 15th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.92 (U.S. = 1.00), a North Dakota salary of $68,520 is roughly equivalent to $74,478 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Georgia ($70,450), Colorado ($70,320), Connecticut ($69,680) 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

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in North Dakota?

The average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in North Dakota is $68,520 per year (median $74,740), which is 2.7% above the national average of $66,700.

How does North Dakota rank for Chefs and Head Cooks pay?

North Dakota ranks 15th 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 North Dakota?

The lowest-paid 10% of Chefs and Head Cooks in North Dakota earn about $48,240 per year and the 25th percentile is $48,940.

How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in North Dakota?

About $32.94 per hour, based on the $68,520 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Chefs and Head Cooks work in North Dakota?

BLS counts 100 Chefs and Head Cooks jobs in North Dakota (OEWS May 2025).

Explore more salary data