Chefs and Head Cooks Pay Range in Wisconsin
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$41,990
- 25th Percentile — Junior$49,200
- 50th Percentile — Median$61,300
- 75th Percentile — Senior$74,080
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$87,570
Half of Chefs and Head Cooks in Wisconsin earn more than $61,300. The top 10% make $87,570 or more, while entry-level workers start around $41,990.
Chefs and Head Cooks in Wisconsin: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Wisconsin ranks 29th of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks pay, at $64,210 per year (3.7% below the U.S. average of $66,700).
- 1,860 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in Wisconsin — 0.9% of all U.S. Chefs and Head Cooks jobs.
- Location quotient 0.49: Chefs and Head Cooks jobs are less concentrated in Wisconsin than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $41,990; the top 10% earn over $87,570.
- Hourly equivalent: $30.87 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Rhode Island at $84,860.
- Among hospitality jobs in Wisconsin, First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation pays the most ($43,660).
Chefs and Head Cooks Job Market in Wisconsin
Key factors affecting compensation
Wisconsin's key industries are Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture, and its job market is rated moderate. Chefs and Head Cooks here earn $64,210 on average, placing the state 29th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.92 (U.S. = 1.00), a Wisconsin salary of $64,210 is roughly equivalent to $69,793 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, New Hampshire ($66,530), Maryland ($65,930), Virginia ($65,320) 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 Wisconsin
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $43,660/yr Wisconsin 32.0% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $39,860/yr Wisconsin 37.9% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $36,690/yr Wisconsin 42.9% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $34,570/yr Wisconsin 46.2% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $29,310/yr Wisconsin 54.4% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $29,110/yr Wisconsin 54.7% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $27,510/yr Wisconsin 57.2% vs this role
- Bartenders $26,970/yr Wisconsin 58.0% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Wisconsin?
The average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Wisconsin is $64,210 per year (median $61,300), which is 3.7% below the national average of $66,700.
How does Wisconsin rank for Chefs and Head Cooks pay?
Wisconsin ranks 29th 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 Wisconsin?
The lowest-paid 10% of Chefs and Head Cooks in Wisconsin earn about $41,990 per year and the 25th percentile is $49,200.
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Wisconsin?
About $30.87 per hour, based on the $64,210 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Chefs and Head Cooks work in Wisconsin?
BLS counts 1,860 Chefs and Head Cooks jobs in Wisconsin (OEWS May 2025).
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