Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Portland, ME

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Portland-South Portland, ME

Median annual salary $56,200 -7.9% vs national
Median hourly $27.02
10th percentile $47,900
90th percentile $79,260
Employed locally 770
National median $60,990

Compare Chefs and Head Cooks salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Portland, ME stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Chefs and Head Cooks
in
Portland, ME
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $47,900
    25th
    $51,830
    50th (median)
    $56,200
    75th
    $61,820
    90th
    $79,260

    Portland economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,602 2023 • Census ACS
    Chefs and Head Cooks salary vs area income 63% Median Chefs and Head Cooks salary is 37% 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
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $85,370
    East Arkansas nonmetropolitan area $81,720
    Western Wyoming nonmetropolitan area $78,930
    Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area $73,620
    South Florida nonmetropolitan area $69,570
    Northeastern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area $68,110

    Related occupations in Portland, ME

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $35,150
    Waiters and Waitresses $45,010
    Cooks, Restaurant $46,960
    Food Preparation Workers $36,980
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $49,730
    Bartenders $51,180

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Portland, ME is $27.02, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $38.90 or more per hour.

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

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Portland, ME is 7.9% 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 Portland?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $47,900 per year in Portland, ME. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $51,830.