Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Massachusetts

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $73,620 +20.7% vs national
Median hourly $35.40
10th percentile $48,510
90th percentile $121,580
Employed locally 110
National median $60,990

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Chefs and Head Cooks
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Massachusetts
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $48,510
    25th
    $58,450
    50th (median)
    $73,620
    75th
    $89,110
    90th
    $121,580

    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

    Related occupations in Massachusetts

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $35,890
    Waiters and Waitresses $36,510
    Cooks, Restaurant $46,500
    Bartenders $36,140
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $47,100
    Food Preparation Workers $37,920

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Massachusetts is $35.40, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $57.58 or more per hour.

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

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Massachusetts is 20.7% 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 Massachusetts?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $48,510 per year in Massachusetts. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $58,450.