Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in McAllen, TX

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX

Median annual salary $43,150 -29.3% vs national
Median hourly $20.74
10th percentile $29,220
90th percentile $64,150
Employed locally 250
National median $60,990

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Chefs and Head Cooks
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McAllen, TX
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,220
    25th
    $33,400
    50th (median)
    $43,150
    75th
    $46,840
    90th
    $64,150

    McAllen economic context

    Unemployment rate 6.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $52,281 2023 • Census ACS
    Chefs and Head Cooks salary vs area income 83% Median Chefs and Head Cooks salary is 17% 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
    Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $55,900
    Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $55,790
    Midland, TX $54,220
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $54,160
    Amarillo, TX $49,990
    Corpus Christi, TX $49,990

    Related occupations in McAllen, TX

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$22,690
    Waiters and Waitresses$22,900
    Food Preparation Workers$23,810
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$29,850
    Cooks, Restaurant$27,950
    Cooks, Fast Food$26,740

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in McAllen, TX is $20.74, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $33.87 or more per hour.

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

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in McAllen, TX is 29.3% 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 McAllen?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $29,220 per year in McAllen, TX. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $33,400.