Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Reno, NV

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Reno, NV

Median annual salary $57,350 -6% vs national
Median hourly $27.57
10th percentile $36,400
90th percentile $93,070
Employed locally 420
National median $60,990

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Chefs and Head Cooks
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,400
    25th
    $43,020
    50th (median)
    $57,350
    75th
    $73,580
    90th
    $93,070

    Reno economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,684 2023 • Census ACS
    Chefs and Head Cooks salary vs area income 68% Median Chefs and Head Cooks salary is 32% 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
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $70,090
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $64,560
    Greenville, NC $59,250
    Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC $58,910
    Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV $58,590
    Jacksonville, FL $57,990

    Related occupations in Reno, NV

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$31,300
    Waiters and Waitresses$24,150
    Cooks, Restaurant$37,410
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$40,080
    Bartenders$24,330
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$24,590

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Reno, NV is $27.57, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $46.97 or more per hour.

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

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Reno, NV is 6% 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 Reno?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $36,400 per year in Reno, NV. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $43,020.