Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in South Florida

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • South Florida nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $69,570 +14.1% vs national
Median hourly $33.45
10th percentile $35,250
90th percentile $108,080
Employed locally 280
National median $60,990

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Chefs and Head Cooks
in
South Florida
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $35,250
    25th
    $50,320
    50th (median)
    $69,570
    75th
    $87,470
    90th
    $108,080

    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

    Related occupations in South Florida

    OccupationMedian salary
    Waiters and Waitresses $29,630
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,740
    Cooks, Restaurant $36,990
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $44,390
    Bartenders $29,200
    Food Preparation Workers $35,980

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in South Florida is $33.45, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $54.97 or more per hour.

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

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in South Florida is 14.1% 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 South Florida?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $35,250 per year in South Florida. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $50,320.