Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Southwestern Pennsylvania

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Southwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $49,760 -18.4% vs national
Median hourly $23.92
10th percentile $36,180
90th percentile $75,040
Employed locally 160
National median $60,990

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Chefs and Head Cooks
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Southwestern Pennsylvania
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,180
    25th
    $38,620
    50th (median)
    $49,760
    75th
    $64,990
    90th
    $75,040

    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 Southwestern Pennsylvania

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$23,660
    Waiters and Waitresses$27,550
    Cooks, Restaurant$31,200
    Bartenders$20,720
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$37,200
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$31,080

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Southwestern Pennsylvania is $23.92, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $38.78 or more per hour.

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

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Southwestern Pennsylvania is 18.4% 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 Southwestern Pennsylvania?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $36,180 per year in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $38,620.