Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Ocala, FL

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Ocala, FL

Median annual salary $48,910 -19.8% vs national
Median hourly $23.51
10th percentile $29,910
90th percentile $89,970
Employed locally 140
National median $60,990

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Chefs and Head Cooks
in
Ocala, FL
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,910
    25th
    $34,840
    50th (median)
    $48,910
    75th
    $70,370
    90th
    $89,970

    Ocala economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $58,535 2023 • Census ACS
    Chefs and Head Cooks salary vs area income 84% Median Chefs and Head Cooks salary is 16% 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
    Naples-Marco Island, FL $74,990
    South Florida nonmetropolitan area $69,570
    Wildwood-The Villages, FL $65,290
    Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL $62,040
    Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL $61,600
    Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL $61,270

    Related occupations in Ocala, FL

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$27,130
    Waiters and Waitresses$28,130
    Cooks, Restaurant$34,730
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$37,080
    Food Preparation Workers$33,280
    Bartenders$28,980

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Ocala, FL is $23.51, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $38.54 or more per hour.

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

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Ocala, FL is 19.8% 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 Ocala?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $29,910 per year in Ocala, FL. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $34,840.