Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
5 years or more
None
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Chefs and head cooks (occupation code 35-1011) work in a field that combines leadership, creativity, and hands-on activity. National employment stands at 197,000, with projected employment growth of 7.1% and about 24,000 annual openings, indicating ongoing movement and hiring in this career. The national median annual salary is $60,990, with some states and metro areas offering higher median pay. Success in this occupation draws on a broad mix of skills, including leadership, project management, creativity and innovation, customer service, and strong speaking and listening abilities. Mathematics, science, and physical strength and stamina also play a role, supported by adaptability and interpersonal skills. People considering this path can also explore related options such as first-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers, aircraft cargo handling supervisors, first-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers, dietetic technicians, and facilities managers if they want to compare supervisory or technically oriented roles.
Chefs and head cooks earn a national median annual salary of $60,990, with earnings varying by location. Several states exceed this national median. Washington reports a median salary of $76,010, New York $70,670, Massachusetts $69,540, Colorado $65,400, and California $64,500. At the metro level, some areas stand out even more. The San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro has a median salary of $79,020, while Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV reports $74,900, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $72,470, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $71,780, and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $68,970. These figures show that pay can differ significantly between regions, and some of the locations with higher CareerGPS opportunity scores also offer higher median salaries. Individuals can use these differences to weigh potential earnings when comparing places to live and work.
Chefs and head cooks have national employment of 197,000, with projected employment growth of 7.1%. This same 7.1% growth rate appears in the listed top states and metro areas, suggesting a consistent projection across those highlighted regions. The occupation is expected to generate about 24,000 annual openings, which includes opportunities from growth and other job movements. Taken together, these numbers indicate a labor market where positions are both currently established and projected to expand. The combination of an existing national workforce and a defined growth rate can help career planners gauge potential stability and movement in the field. For those comparing options, similar occupations such as first-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers, aircraft cargo handling supervisors, first-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers, dietetic technicians, and facilities managers provide additional paths to roles that involve supervision or specialized expertise.
Location can make a notable difference for chefs and head cooks in terms of salary, employment levels, and CareerGPS opportunity scores. Among states, California has the highest employment at 31,670 with a median salary of $64,500 and an opportunity score of 67.38. New York has 17,430 employed, a median salary of $70,670, and an opportunity score of 65.78. Massachusetts shows 6,000 employed, a $69,540 median salary, and a 65.87 opportunity score. Colorado and Washington have smaller employment totals (3,970 and 5,320 respectively) but median salaries of $65,400 in Colorado and $76,010 in Washington, with opportunity scores of 56.97 and 56.29. At the metro level, the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area leads with an opportunity score of 77.42 and a $79,020 median salary. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro closely follows with a 77.27 opportunity score, $71,780 median salary, and 20,010 employed. Other metros such as San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV; and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH also combine relatively high median salaries with solid opportunity scores, giving candidates multiple strong regional options to consider.
The typical education requirement for chefs and head cooks is a high school diploma or equivalent. While this is the standard educational baseline, success in the role is strongly tied to a wide range of skills. Leadership and project management are central, reflecting the need to guide others and coordinate activities. Creativity and innovation are also important, along with customer service and strong speaking and listening abilities to support effective interaction with others. Mathematics and science are part of the core skill profile, indicating a need for comfort with quantitative and analytical thinking. Physical strength and stamina are highlighted, emphasizing the physical side of the work, while adaptability and interpersonal skills support working with changing circumstances and diverse people. Individuals who match this skills profile and meet the educational requirement may also wish to compare potential paths in similar occupations such as facilities managers, dietetic technicians, and other supervisory roles listed as related options.
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