Chefs and Head Cooks Pay Range in Texas
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$31,380
- 25th Percentile — Junior$42,030
- 50th Percentile — Median$56,080
- 75th Percentile — Senior$71,870
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$92,290
Half of Chefs and Head Cooks in Texas earn more than $56,080. The top 10% make $92,290 or more, while entry-level workers start around $31,380.
Chefs and Head Cooks in Texas: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Texas ranks 41st of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks pay, at $59,350 per year (11.0% below the U.S. average of $66,700).
- 13,270 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in Texas — 6.6% of all U.S. Chefs and Head Cooks jobs.
- Location quotient 0.73: Chefs and Head Cooks jobs are less concentrated in Texas than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $31,380; the top 10% earn over $92,290.
- Hourly equivalent: $28.53 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Rhode Island at $84,860.
- Among hospitality jobs in Texas, First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation pays the most ($41,100).
Chefs and Head Cooks Job Market in Texas
Key factors affecting compensation
Texas's key industries are Energy, Technology, Healthcare, and its job market is rated strong. Chefs and Head Cooks here earn $59,350 on average, placing the state 41st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.95 (U.S. = 1.00), a Texas salary of $59,350 is roughly equivalent to $62,474 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Ohio ($61,220), Kansas ($60,930), Arizona ($60,330) 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 Texas
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $41,100/yr Texas 30.7% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $34,870/yr Texas 41.2% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $33,370/yr Texas 43.8% vs this role
- Bartenders $32,640/yr Texas 45.0% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $29,750/yr Texas 49.9% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $29,680/yr Texas 50.0% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,750/yr Texas 53.2% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $24,390/yr Texas 58.9% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Texas?
The average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Texas is $59,350 per year (median $56,080), which is 11.0% below the national average of $66,700.
How does Texas rank for Chefs and Head Cooks pay?
Texas ranks 41st 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 Texas?
The lowest-paid 10% of Chefs and Head Cooks in Texas earn about $31,380 per year and the 25th percentile is $42,030.
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Texas?
About $28.53 per hour, based on the $59,350 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Chefs and Head Cooks work in Texas?
BLS counts 13,270 Chefs and Head Cooks jobs in Texas (OEWS May 2025).
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