Chefs and Head Cooks Pay Range in Pennsylvania
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$39,040
- 25th Percentile — Junior$49,280
- 50th Percentile — Median$63,860
- 75th Percentile — Senior$81,790
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$95,830
Half of Chefs and Head Cooks in Pennsylvania earn more than $63,860. The top 10% make $95,830 or more, while entry-level workers start around $39,040.
Chefs and Head Cooks in Pennsylvania: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Pennsylvania ranks 17th of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks pay, at $67,890 per year (1.8% above the U.S. average of $66,700).
- 9,170 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in Pennsylvania — 4.6% of all U.S. Chefs and Head Cooks jobs.
- Location quotient 1.18: Chefs and Head Cooks jobs are more concentrated in Pennsylvania than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $39,040; the top 10% earn over $95,830.
- Hourly equivalent: $32.64 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Rhode Island at $84,860.
- Among hospitality jobs in Pennsylvania, First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation pays the most ($44,550).
Chefs and Head Cooks Job Market in Pennsylvania
Key factors affecting compensation
Pennsylvania's key industries are Healthcare, Education, Finance, and its job market is rated strong. Chefs and Head Cooks here earn $67,890 on average, placing the state 17th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.99 (U.S. = 1.00), a Pennsylvania salary of $67,890 is roughly equivalent to $68,576 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Connecticut ($69,680), California ($69,130), North Dakota ($68,520) 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 Pennsylvania
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $44,550/yr Pennsylvania 34.4% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $38,110/yr Pennsylvania 43.9% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $36,950/yr Pennsylvania 45.6% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $35,750/yr Pennsylvania 47.3% vs this role
- Bartenders $35,460/yr Pennsylvania 47.8% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $30,580/yr Pennsylvania 55.0% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $29,810/yr Pennsylvania 56.1% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,930/yr Pennsylvania 57.4% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Pennsylvania?
The average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Pennsylvania is $67,890 per year (median $63,860), which is 1.8% above the national average of $66,700.
How does Pennsylvania rank for Chefs and Head Cooks pay?
Pennsylvania ranks 17th 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 Pennsylvania?
The lowest-paid 10% of Chefs and Head Cooks in Pennsylvania earn about $39,040 per year and the 25th percentile is $49,280.
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Pennsylvania?
About $32.64 per hour, based on the $67,890 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Chefs and Head Cooks work in Pennsylvania?
BLS counts 9,170 Chefs and Head Cooks jobs in Pennsylvania (OEWS May 2025).
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