Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Indianapolis, IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN

Median annual salary $59,030 -3.2% vs national
Median hourly $28.38
10th percentile $38,170
90th percentile $90,570
Employed locally 370
National median $60,990

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Chefs and Head Cooks
in
Indianapolis, IN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,170
    25th
    $45,920
    50th (median)
    $59,030
    75th
    $73,340
    90th
    $90,570

    Indianapolis economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $77,065 2023 • Census ACS
    Chefs and Head Cooks salary vs area income 77% Median Chefs and Head Cooks salary is 23% 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
    Terre Haute, IN $83,880
    Western Wyoming nonmetropolitan area $78,930
    Salinas, CA $73,260
    Vineland, NJ $72,740
    Trenton-Princeton, NJ $71,790
    Washington $69,800

    Related occupations in Indianapolis, IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$28,760
    Waiters and Waitresses$28,180
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$43,180
    Cooks, Restaurant$36,040
    Food Preparation Workers$31,180
    Bartenders$23,610

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Indianapolis, IN is $28.38, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $37.65 or more per hour.

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

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Indianapolis, IN is 3.2% 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 Indianapolis?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $38,170 per year in Indianapolis, IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $45,920.