Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in New Haven, CT

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • New Haven, CT

Median annual salary $62,440 +2.4% vs national
Median hourly $30.02
10th percentile $40,260
90th percentile $105,400
Employed locally 610
National median $60,990

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Chefs and Head Cooks
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New Haven, CT
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $40,260
    25th
    $50,010
    50th (median)
    $62,440
    75th
    $89,030
    90th
    $105,400

    New Haven economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $86,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Chefs and Head Cooks salary vs area income 72% Median Chefs and Head Cooks salary is 28% 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
    District of Columbia $74,000
    Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $64,200
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $63,010
    Connecticut $62,540
    Waterbury-Shelton, CT $61,650
    Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT $61,300

    Related occupations in New Haven, CT

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $33,670
    Waiters and Waitresses $36,730
    Cooks, Restaurant $37,640
    Food Preparation Workers $35,630
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $49,880
    Bartenders $33,520

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in New Haven, CT is $30.02, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $50.09 or more per hour.

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

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in New Haven, CT is 2.4% 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 New Haven?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $40,260 per year in New Haven, CT. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $50,010.