Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Salem, OR

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Salem, OR

Median annual salary $57,380 -5.9% vs national
Median hourly $27.59
10th percentile $43,660
90th percentile $82,140
Employed locally 240
National median $60,990

Compare Chefs and Head Cooks salary & buying power

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Chefs and Head Cooks
in
Salem, OR
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $43,660
    25th
    $46,380
    50th (median)
    $57,380
    75th
    $72,050
    90th
    $82,140

    Salem economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $76,010 2023 • Census ACS
    Chefs and Head Cooks salary vs area income 75% Median Chefs and Head Cooks salary is 25% 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
    Morgantown, WV $87,280
    North Dakota $76,630
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $70,090
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $69,610
    South Florida nonmetropolitan area $69,570
    Worcester, MA $69,210

    Related occupations in Salem, OR

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $33,320
    Waiters and Waitresses $33,470
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $44,110
    Cooks, Restaurant $37,560
    Food Preparation Workers $36,100
    Bartenders $31,160

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Salem, OR is $27.59, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $42.40 or more per hour.

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

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Salem, OR is 5.9% 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 Salem?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $43,660 per year in Salem, OR. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $46,380.