Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Mankato, MN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Mankato, MN

Median annual salary $49,310 -19.2% vs national
Median hourly $23.71
10th percentile $45,250
90th percentile $77,530
Employed locally 30
National median $60,990

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Chefs and Head Cooks
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Mankato, MN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $45,250
    25th
    $45,250
    50th (median)
    $49,310
    75th
    $60,350
    90th
    $77,530

    Mankato economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $74,722 2023 • Census ACS
    Chefs and Head Cooks salary vs area income 66% Median Chefs and Head Cooks salary is 34% 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
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $61,780
    La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN $59,860
    Fargo, ND-MN $59,430
    Rochester, MN $59,390
    Duluth, MN-WI $50,510
    Sioux Falls, SD-MN $47,420

    Related occupations in Mankato, MN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $30,700
    Waiters and Waitresses $22,900
    Cooks, Restaurant $36,670
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $44,100
    Bartenders $23,580
    Food Preparation Workers $34,460

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Mankato, MN is $23.71, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $38.67 or more per hour.

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

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Mankato, MN is 19.2% 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 Mankato?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $45,250 per year in Mankato, MN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $45,250.