Chefs and Head Cooks Pay Range in Virginia
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$43,010
- 25th Percentile — Junior$50,170
- 50th Percentile — Median$63,270
- 75th Percentile — Senior$77,270
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$90,470
Half of Chefs and Head Cooks in Virginia earn more than $63,270. The top 10% make $90,470 or more, while entry-level workers start around $43,010.
Chefs and Head Cooks in Virginia: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Virginia ranks 27th of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks pay, at $65,320 per year (2.1% below the U.S. average of $66,700).
- 3,600 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in Virginia — 1.8% of all U.S. Chefs and Head Cooks jobs.
- Location quotient 0.68: Chefs and Head Cooks jobs are less concentrated in Virginia than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $43,010; the top 10% earn over $90,470.
- Hourly equivalent: $31.4 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Rhode Island at $84,860.
- Among hospitality jobs in Virginia, Bartenders pays the most ($54,200).
Chefs and Head Cooks Job Market in Virginia
Key factors affecting compensation
Virginia's key industries are Government, Technology, Defense, and its job market is rated very strong. Chefs and Head Cooks here earn $65,320 on average, placing the state 27th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.1 (U.S. = 1.00), a Virginia salary of $65,320 is roughly equivalent to $59,382 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Missouri ($66,640), Delaware ($66,590), New Hampshire ($66,530) 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 Virginia
Related career salary benchmarks
- Bartenders $54,200/yr Virginia 17.0% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $46,810/yr Virginia 28.3% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $46,680/yr Virginia 28.5% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $39,500/yr Virginia 39.5% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $38,180/yr Virginia 41.5% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $34,850/yr Virginia 46.6% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $31,980/yr Virginia 51.0% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $31,930/yr Virginia 51.1% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Virginia?
The average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Virginia is $65,320 per year (median $63,270), which is 2.1% below the national average of $66,700.
How does Virginia rank for Chefs and Head Cooks pay?
Virginia ranks 27th 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 Virginia?
The lowest-paid 10% of Chefs and Head Cooks in Virginia earn about $43,010 per year and the 25th percentile is $50,170.
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Virginia?
About $31.4 per hour, based on the $65,320 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Chefs and Head Cooks work in Virginia?
BLS counts 3,600 Chefs and Head Cooks jobs in Virginia (OEWS May 2025).
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