California ranks 8th of 51 states and D.C. for chefs and head cooks pay, trailing top-paying Hawaii ($81,200) by $14,420 — a 22% gap.
Chefs and Head Cooks are more concentrated in California than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 1.24 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.24× the national share.
California employs roughly 14.5% of all chefs and head cooks in the country (26,500 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $45,500 | $21.88 |
| 25th percentile | $55,420 | $26.65 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $66,780 | $32.11 |
| 75th percentile | $80,250 | $38.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,580 | $48.36 |
| Mean (average) | $71,350 | $34.30 |
How California Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. California |
|---|---|---|
| California (current) | $66,780 | n/a |
| Hawaii | $81,200 | +22% |
| Rhode Island | $79,160 | +19% |
| North Dakota | $76,630 | +15% |
| District of Columbia | $74,000 | +11% |
| Massachusetts | $71,330 | +7% |
| Washington | $69,800 | +5% |
| New Jersey | $69,660 | +4% |
| Delaware | $65,290 | -2% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in California
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $66,990 | 17,800 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $66,420 | 3,480 |
| Maintenance Workers, Machinery | $66,120 | 3,730 |
| Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers | $66,010 | 7,390 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $65,880 | 27,350 |
| Glaziers | $65,850 | 7,880 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in California?
The mean chefs and head cooks salary in California is $71,350 per year. The median (middle) salary is $66,780 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Chefs and Head Cooks in California?
Entry-level chefs and head cookss (10th percentile) in California typically earn around $45,500 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $55,420 per year.
What is the highest Chefs and Head Cooks salary in California?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in California make approximately $100,580 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $80,250 per year.
How does the California Chefs and Head Cooks salary compare to the national average?
The median chefs and head cooks salary in California is $66,780, which is +9% above national average of $60,990.