Chef Salary Overview
The Chef is a sought-after profession in the United States with a median annual salary of $56,520. Compensation typically ranges from $30,400 for entry-level positions to $96,200 for experienced professionals in high-demand markets.Salary Range: The typical Chef in the US earns between $30,400 and $96,200 per year, with a median of $56,520.
Chef Salary by Experience
Entry-level chefs earn around $36,738, while those with 10+ years of experience can earn $76,302 or more.
| Level | Salary | Hourly | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $35,608 | $17/hr | $30,045 |
| Mid | $56,520 | $27/hr | $45,770 |
| Senior | $72,346 | $35/hr | $56,396 |
| Lead | $86,476 | $42/hr | $65,042 |
Chef Salary by State (After Tax)
Gross salary, federal tax, state tax, and estimated take-home pay for a Chef in each US state.
Pay for chefs varies significantly by state, with coastal and high-cost-of-living areas generally offering higher salaries to offset expenses.
| State | Gross | Federal | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $56,520 | $4,744 | $2,661 | $4,324 | $44,791 | 20.8% |
| Alaska | $56,520 | $4,744 | $0 | $4,324 | $47,452 | 16.0% |
| Arizona | $56,520 | $4,744 | $1,048 | $4,324 | $46,404 | 17.9% |
| Arkansas | $56,520 | $4,744 | $2,261 | $4,324 | $45,192 | 20.0% |
| California | $56,520 | $4,744 | $1,682 | $4,324 | $45,770 | 19.0% |
| Colorado | $56,520 | $4,744 | $1,827 | $4,324 | $45,625 | 19.3% |
| Connecticut | $56,520 | $4,744 | $2,359 | $4,324 | $45,094 | 20.2% |
| Delaware | $56,520 | $4,744 | $2,570 | $4,324 | $44,882 | 20.6% |
| District of Columbia | $56,520 | $4,744 | $2,325 | $4,324 | $45,128 | 20.2% |
| Florida | $56,520 | $4,744 | $0 | $4,324 | $47,452 | 16.0% |
| Georgia | $56,520 | $4,744 | $2,444 | $4,324 | $45,008 | 20.4% |
| Hawaii | $56,520 | $4,744 | $3,735 | $4,324 | $43,717 | 22.7% |
| Idaho | $56,520 | $4,744 | $2,431 | $4,324 | $45,021 | 20.3% |
| Illinois | $56,520 | $4,744 | $2,660 | $4,324 | $44,792 | 20.8% |
| Indiana | $56,520 | $4,744 | $1,724 | $4,324 | $45,728 | 19.1% |
| Iowa | $56,520 | $4,744 | $2,148 | $4,324 | $45,305 | 19.8% |
| Kansas | $56,520 | $4,744 | $2,565 | $4,324 | $44,888 | 20.6% |
| Kentucky | $56,520 | $4,744 | $2,134 | $4,324 | $45,318 | 19.8% |
| Louisiana | $56,520 | $4,744 | $1,821 | $4,324 | $45,631 | 19.3% |
| Maine | $56,520 | $4,744 | $2,582 | $4,324 | $44,870 | 20.6% |
| Maryland | $56,520 | $4,744 | $2,511 | $4,324 | $44,941 | 20.5% |
| Massachusetts | $56,520 | $4,744 | $2,606 | $4,324 | $44,846 | 20.7% |
| Michigan | $56,520 | $4,744 | $2,164 | $4,324 | $45,288 | 19.9% |
| Minnesota | $56,520 | $4,744 | $2,393 | $4,324 | $45,060 | 20.3% |
| Mississippi | $56,520 | $4,744 | $2,078 | $4,324 | $45,374 | 19.7% |
| Missouri | $56,520 | $4,744 | $1,842 | $4,324 | $45,610 | 19.3% |
| Montana | $56,520 | $4,744 | $2,227 | $4,324 | $45,225 | 20.0% |
| Nebraska | $56,520 | $4,744 | $1,780 | $4,324 | $45,672 | 19.2% |
| Nevada | $56,520 | $4,744 | $0 | $4,324 | $47,452 | 16.0% |
| New Hampshire | $56,520 | $4,744 | $0 | $4,324 | $47,452 | 16.0% |
| New Jersey | $56,520 | $4,744 | $1,630 | $4,324 | $45,822 | 18.9% |
| New Mexico | $56,520 | $4,744 | $1,775 | $4,324 | $45,678 | 19.2% |
| New York | $56,520 | $4,744 | $2,625 | $4,324 | $44,828 | 20.7% |
| North Carolina | $56,520 | $4,744 | $1,970 | $4,324 | $45,483 | 19.5% |
| North Dakota | $56,520 | $4,744 | $817 | $4,324 | $46,635 | 17.5% |
| Ohio | $56,520 | $4,744 | $836 | $4,324 | $46,616 | 17.5% |
| Oklahoma | $56,520 | $4,744 | $2,195 | $4,324 | $45,258 | 19.9% |
| Oregon | $56,520 | $4,744 | $4,420 | $4,324 | $43,032 | 23.9% |
| Pennsylvania | $56,520 | $4,744 | $1,735 | $4,324 | $45,717 | 19.1% |
| Rhode Island | $56,520 | $4,744 | $1,724 | $4,324 | $45,728 | 19.1% |
| South Carolina | $56,520 | $4,744 | $1,990 | $4,324 | $45,462 | 19.6% |
| South Dakota | $56,520 | $4,744 | $0 | $4,324 | $47,452 | 16.0% |
| Tennessee | $56,520 | $4,744 | $0 | $4,324 | $47,452 | 16.0% |
| Texas | $56,520 | $4,744 | $0 | $4,324 | $47,452 | 16.0% |
| Utah | $56,520 | $4,744 | $2,628 | $4,324 | $44,824 | 20.7% |
| Vermont | $56,520 | $4,744 | $1,790 | $4,324 | $45,663 | 19.2% |
| Virginia | $56,520 | $4,744 | $2,734 | $4,324 | $44,719 | 20.9% |
| Washington | $56,520 | $4,744 | $0 | $4,324 | $47,452 | 16.0% |
| West Virginia | $56,520 | $4,744 | $2,019 | $4,324 | $45,433 | 19.6% |
| Wisconsin | $56,520 | $4,744 | $1,908 | $4,324 | $45,545 | 19.4% |
| Wyoming | $56,520 | $4,744 | $0 | $4,324 | $47,452 | 16.0% |
Top Cities for Chef Pay
The highest-paying metro areas for chefs tend to be major metropolitan centers with strong industry demand and higher costs of living.
| City | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| Honolulu, HI | $62,172 |
| New York, NY | $62,172 |
| San Francisco, CA | $62,172 |
| Washington, DC | $62,172 |
| Newark, NJ | $62,172 |
Calculate Chef Take-Home Pay
Adjust the state and filing status to see your estimated after-tax income.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
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Gross Annual
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Total Tax
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Tax Breakdown
Federal Income Tax
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State Tax
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Social Security
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Medicare
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Tax Distribution
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Pay Frequency Breakdown
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How to Become a Chef
Becoming a chef typically requires relevant education, training, or certification in the field. Many employers also value practical experience, professional development, and industry-specific credentials.Chef Career Outlook
Employment of chefs is projected to grow steadily over the next decade, driven by continued demand across industries. Professionals who stay current with evolving requirements and build specialized expertise will find the strongest job prospects.Chef Salary FAQ
The median annual salary for chefs in the US is $56,520, with a typical range from $30,400 to $96,200 depending on experience and location.
The highest-paying states for chefs include HI, NJ, NY. These states typically have strong demand and higher costs of living.
Entry-level chefs can expect to earn around $36,738 per year, with salary increasing as they gain experience and expertise.
Being a chef can be a rewarding career with solid compensation and growth potential. Job outlook is generally positive across most regions.
The median hourly rate for chefs is approximately $27.17, though this varies based on experience, location, and employer.