Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in San Jose, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Median annual salary $78,050 +28% vs national
Median hourly $37.52
10th percentile $47,630
90th percentile $109,960
Employed locally 1,180
National median $60,990

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Chefs and Head Cooks
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San Jose, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $47,630
    25th
    $58,540
    50th (median)
    $78,050
    75th
    $92,550
    90th
    $109,960

    San Jose economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $157,444 2023 • Census ACS
    Chefs and Head Cooks salary vs area income 50% Median Chefs and Head Cooks salary is 50% 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
    Napa, CA $76,350
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $74,640
    Salinas, CA $73,260
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $72,220
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $71,600
    Tuscaloosa, AL $69,560

    Related occupations in San Jose, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $42,660
    Waiters and Waitresses $40,620
    Cooks, Restaurant $46,960
    Food Preparation Workers $44,120
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $55,210
    Cooks, Fast Food $41,800

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in San Jose, CA is $37.52, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $56.41 or more per hour.

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

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in San Jose, CA is 28% 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 San Jose?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $47,630 per year in San Jose, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $58,540.