Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Waterbury, CT

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Waterbury-Shelton, CT

Median annual salary $61,650 +1.1% vs national
Median hourly $29.64
10th percentile $39,810
90th percentile $113,490
Employed locally 270
National median $60,990

Compare Chefs and Head Cooks salary & buying power

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Chefs and Head Cooks
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Waterbury, CT
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $39,810
    25th
    $49,530
    50th (median)
    $61,650
    75th
    $89,980
    90th
    $113,490

    Waterbury economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $86,365 2023 • Census ACS
    Chefs and Head Cooks salary vs area income 71% Median Chefs and Head Cooks salary is 29% 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
    District of Columbia $74,000
    Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $64,200
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $63,010
    Connecticut $62,540
    New Haven, CT $62,440
    Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT $61,300

    Related occupations in Waterbury, CT

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $33,300
    Waiters and Waitresses $35,360
    Food Preparation Workers $35,490
    Cooks, Restaurant $36,960
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $48,400
    Dishwashers $34,060

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Waterbury, CT is $29.64, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $44.69 or more per hour.

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

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Waterbury, CT is 1.1% 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 Waterbury?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $39,810 per year in Waterbury, CT. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $49,530.