Chef and head cook
Direct and may participate in the preparation, seasoning, and cooking of salads, soups, fish, meats, vegetables, desserts, or other foods. May plan and price menu items, order supplies, and keep records and accounts. Federal job definition
How people get into it
Others learn through apprenticeship programs or in the Armed Forces.
Most programs also require students to gain experience in a commercial kitchen through an internship or apprenticeship program.
Chefs and head cooks also may learn through apprenticeship programs sponsored by professional culinary institutes, industry associations, or trade unions.
- Typical education to start
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Typical training on the job
- None
Registered apprenticeships are run by employers, unions and industry groups. To find openings near you, search the U.S. Department of Labor's apprenticeship finder, or contact your state's apprenticeship office.
What it pays
Yearly pay for all workers in this job nationally, including experienced ones. Apprentices usually start lower and get raises as they advance.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025Median pay by state (51 states)
| State | Median pay | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $62,400 | 1,000 |
| Alaska | $52,190 | 680 |
| Arizona | $59,890 | 4,080 |
| Arkansas | $46,170 | 880 |
| California | $64,500 | 31,670 |
| Colorado | $65,400 | 3,970 |
| Connecticut | $64,310 | 3,080 |
| Delaware | $61,440 | 590 |
| District of Columbia | $76,420 | 2,020 |
| Florida | $58,240 | 19,670 |
| Georgia | $66,230 | 3,680 |
| Hawaii | $77,360 | 1,240 |
| Idaho | $52,000 | 550 |
| Illinois | $58,830 | 8,290 |
| Indiana | $52,190 | 1,940 |
| Iowa | $47,990 | 1,640 |
| Kansas | $58,390 | 860 |
| Kentucky | $48,070 | 1,790 |
| Louisiana | $45,570 | 1,990 |
| Maine | $57,010 | 1,250 |
| Maryland | $61,590 | 3,220 |
| Massachusetts | $69,540 | 6,000 |
| Michigan | $60,070 | 5,360 |
| Minnesota | $62,600 | 1,730 |
| Mississippi | $54,850 | 840 |
| Missouri | $64,480 | 1,750 |
| Montana | $57,470 | 720 |
| Nebraska | $60,510 | 540 |
| Nevada | $62,380 | 3,940 |
| New Hampshire | $63,400 | 1,170 |
| New Jersey | $74,280 | 9,100 |
| New Mexico | $62,250 | 770 |
| New York | $70,670 | 17,430 |
| North Carolina | $61,130 | 4,920 |
| North Dakota | $74,740 | 100 |
| Ohio | $53,990 | 4,000 |
| Oklahoma | $58,540 | 1,430 |
| Oregon | $63,600 | 2,510 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,860 | 9,170 |
| Rhode Island | $79,930 | 740 |
| South Carolina | $71,860 | 2,650 |
| South Dakota | $48,470 | 300 |
| Tennessee | $69,810 | 3,820 |
| Texas | $56,080 | 13,270 |
| Utah | $59,060 | 1,740 |
| Vermont | $65,440 | 610 |
| Virginia | $63,270 | 3,600 |
| Washington | $76,010 | 5,320 |
| West Virginia | $61,100 | 350 |
| Wisconsin | $61,300 | 1,860 |
| Wyoming | $73,170 | 240 |
Job outlook
- People in this job
- 220,300
- Openings each year
- 25,200projected average, 2025–35, including people retiring or changing jobs
- Change in jobs
- +6.6%expected to grow 6.6%, 2025–35
Where these numbers come from
Pay comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' wage survey (May 2025). Jobs, openings, growth, education and training come from BLS Employment Projections (2025–35). The description of the job is the federal Standard Occupational Classification definition, and the quote is from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. For how many apprentices there are in each state, see the Department of Labor's apprentices by state dashboard. Updated November 5, 2026.