Wisconsin ranks 22nd of 51 states and D.C. for chefs and head cooks pay, trailing top-paying Hawaii ($81,200) by $21,030 — a 35% gap.
Chefs and Head Cooks are less concentrated in Wisconsin than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.62 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.61× below the national share.
Wisconsin employs roughly 1.2% of all chefs and head cooks in the country (2,130 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $32,180 | $15.47 |
| 25th percentile | $47,910 | $23.04 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $60,170 | $28.93 |
| 75th percentile | $75,340 | $36.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,560 | $43.54 |
| Mean (average) | $62,300 | $29.95 |
How Wisconsin Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin (current) | $60,170 | n/a |
| Hawaii | $81,200 | +35% |
| Rhode Island | $79,160 | +32% |
| North Dakota | $76,630 | +27% |
| District of Columbia | $74,000 | +23% |
| Massachusetts | $71,330 | +19% |
| Washington | $69,800 | +16% |
| New Jersey | $69,660 | +16% |
| California | $66,780 | +11% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Wisconsin
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists | $60,190 | 7,170 |
| Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers | $60,150 | 550 |
| Carpenters | $60,390 | 15,330 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $60,390 | 1,330 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $60,470 | 1,270 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $59,860 | 3,340 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Wisconsin?
The mean chefs and head cooks salary in Wisconsin is $62,300 per year. The median (middle) salary is $60,170 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Chefs and Head Cooks in Wisconsin?
Entry-level chefs and head cookss (10th percentile) in Wisconsin typically earn around $32,180 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $47,910 per year.
What is the highest Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Wisconsin?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Wisconsin make approximately $90,560 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $75,340 per year.
How does the Wisconsin Chefs and Head Cooks salary compare to the national average?
The median chefs and head cooks salary in Wisconsin is $60,170, which is -1% below national average of $60,990.