Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $63,570 +4.2% vs national
Median hourly $30.56
10th percentile $35,290
90th percentile $99,150
Employed locally 4,470
National median $60,990

Compare Chefs and Head Cooks salary & buying power

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Chefs and Head Cooks
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Chicago, IL-IN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $35,290
    25th
    $47,150
    50th (median)
    $63,570
    75th
    $80,100
    90th
    $99,150

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Chefs and Head Cooks salary vs area income 72% Median Chefs and Head Cooks salary is 28% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Chefs and Head Cooks

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $87,410
    Morgantown, WV $87,280
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $85,370
    Terre Haute, IN $83,880
    East Arkansas nonmetropolitan area $81,720
    Hawaii $81,200

    Nearby metros — Chefs and Head Cooks salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $87,410
    Huntsville, AL $70,960
    Mobile, AL $66,440
    Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC $65,780
    Wildwood-The Villages, FL $65,290
    Durham-Chapel Hill, NC $64,590

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $33,020
    Waiters and Waitresses $29,120
    Cooks, Restaurant $37,090
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $40,880
    Bartenders $29,120
    Food Preparation Workers $35,020

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Chicago, IL-IN is $30.56, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $43.26 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Chefs and Head Cooks salaries?

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 4.2% above the national median of $60,990. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Chefs and Head Cooks in Chicago?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $35,290 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $47,150.