Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Lafayette, IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN

Median annual salary $40,300 -33.9% vs national
Median hourly $19.37
10th percentile $29,960
90th percentile $62,950
Employed locally 60
National median $60,990

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Chefs and Head Cooks
in
Lafayette, IN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,960
    25th
    $31,490
    50th (median)
    $40,300
    75th
    $59,290
    90th
    $62,950

    Lafayette economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $59,895 2023 • Census ACS
    Chefs and Head Cooks salary vs area income 67% Median Chefs and Head Cooks salary is 33% 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 Lafayette, IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,400
    Waiters and Waitresses $27,370
    Cooks, Restaurant $31,320
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $39,890
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $30,800
    Bartenders $22,540

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Lafayette, IN is $19.37, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $30.26 or more per hour.

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

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Lafayette, IN is 33.9% 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 Lafayette?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $29,960 per year in Lafayette, IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $31,490.