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Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in California
Ranked #14 of 51 · CA
Salary Distribution (10th–90th percentile)
About 80% of chefs and head cookss in California earn between $37,380 and $101,870. The blue band is the middle 50% (P25–P75); the dot marks the median.
Compared to the U.S.
The mean chefs and head cooks salary in California is $69,130, about 3.6% above the U.S. average ($66,700). That works out to roughly $33/hr at 2,080 hours per year.
Metro Areas in California
| Metro area | Median | Mean | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $79,020 | $80,150 | 1,280 |
| Napa, CA | $78,960 | $83,750 | 300 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $73,570 | $71,510 | 460 |
| Salinas, CA | $72,440 | $76,270 | 360 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $69,990 | $69,260 | 11,430 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $68,970 | $73,910 | 5,340 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $65,060 | $69,830 | 520 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $64,480 | $67,030 | 2,770 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do chefs and head cooks make in California?
The median chefs and head cooks salary in California is $64,500 per year (mean $69,130), and about 80% earn between $37,380 and $101,870.
How much do chefs and head cooks make per hour in California?
Roughly $33 per hour, based on a mean annual wage of $69,130 and 2,080 work hours per year.
Is California a high-paying state for chefs and head cooks?
California ranks #14 of 51 states for chefs and head cooks pay. Its mean salary of $69,130 is about 3.6% above the U.S. average of $66,700.
Which metro areas in California pay chefs and head cooks the most?
The highest-paying metro areas in California for chefs and head cooks are San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($79,020), Napa, CA ($78,960), Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA ($73,570), by median annual wage.