Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Hattiesburg, MS

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Hattiesburg, MS

Median annual salary $36,380 -40.4% vs national
Median hourly $17.49
10th percentile $25,900
90th percentile $79,630
Employed locally 40
National median $60,990

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Chefs and Head Cooks
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $25,900
    25th
    $28,830
    50th (median)
    $36,380
    75th
    $62,990
    90th
    $79,630

    Hattiesburg economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $59,008 2023 • Census ACS
    Chefs and Head Cooks salary vs area income 62% Median Chefs and Head Cooks salary is 38% 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
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $60,220
    Williamsport, PA $50,240
    Gulfport-Biloxi, MS $50,060
    Jackson, MS $39,930

    Related occupations in Hattiesburg, MS

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$22,160
    Waiters and Waitresses$18,480
    Cooks, Fast Food$22,880
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$30,520
    Cooks, Restaurant$28,280
    Food Preparation Workers$27,100

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Hattiesburg, MS is $17.49, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $34.94 or more per hour.

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

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Hattiesburg, MS is 40.4% below 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 Hattiesburg?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $25,900 per year in Hattiesburg, MS. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $28,830.