Chefs and Head Cooks Pay Range in West Virginia
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$40,520
- 25th Percentile — Junior$47,990
- 50th Percentile — Median$61,100
- 75th Percentile — Senior$82,480
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$88,690
Half of Chefs and Head Cooks in West Virginia earn more than $61,100. The top 10% make $88,690 or more, while entry-level workers start around $40,520.
Chefs and Head Cooks in West Virginia: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- West Virginia ranks 28th of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks pay, at $64,600 per year (3.1% below the U.S. average of $66,700).
- 350 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in West Virginia — 0.2% of all U.S. Chefs and Head Cooks jobs.
- Location quotient 0.38: Chefs and Head Cooks jobs are less concentrated in West Virginia than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $40,520; the top 10% earn over $88,690.
- Hourly equivalent: $31.06 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Rhode Island at $84,860.
- Among hospitality jobs in West Virginia, Waiters and Waitresses pays the most ($38,350).
Chefs and Head Cooks Job Market in West Virginia
Key factors affecting compensation
West Virginia's key industries are Energy, Healthcare, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated low. Chefs and Head Cooks here earn $64,600 on average, placing the state 28th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.78 (U.S. = 1.00), a West Virginia salary of $64,600 is roughly equivalent to $82,821 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Delaware ($66,590), New Hampshire ($66,530), Maryland ($65,930) 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 West Virginia
Related career salary benchmarks
- Waiters and Waitresses $38,350/yr West Virginia 40.6% vs this role
- Bartenders $37,910/yr West Virginia 41.3% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $35,830/yr West Virginia 44.5% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $31,470/yr West Virginia 51.3% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $30,950/yr West Virginia 52.1% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $29,920/yr West Virginia 53.7% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $26,780/yr West Virginia 58.5% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $24,720/yr West Virginia 61.7% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in West Virginia?
The average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in West Virginia is $64,600 per year (median $61,100), which is 3.1% below the national average of $66,700.
How does West Virginia rank for Chefs and Head Cooks pay?
West Virginia ranks 28th 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 West Virginia?
The lowest-paid 10% of Chefs and Head Cooks in West Virginia earn about $40,520 per year and the 25th percentile is $47,990.
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in West Virginia?
About $31.06 per hour, based on the $64,600 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Chefs and Head Cooks work in West Virginia?
BLS counts 350 Chefs and Head Cooks jobs in West Virginia (OEWS May 2025).
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