Chefs and Head Cooks: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in Florida (2024)

How does Chefs and Head Cooks salary grow from entry-level to senior in Florida? State salary progression based on 2024 BLS data.

164% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • Florida salary data • Updated 2026-04-06

Entry-Level (P10)
$36,150
$3,012/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$56,910
$4,742/mo
Senior (P90)
$95,540
$7,962/mo

Florida vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$36,150
National: $37,943
-4.7%
Mid-Career (Median)
$56,910
National: $56,965
-0.1%
Senior (P90)
$95,540
National: $88,503
+8.0%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Chefs and Head Cooks in Florida spans from $36,150 at entry-level to $95,540 at senior level — a difference of $59,390 per year.

P10
$36K
P25
$45K
Median
$56K
P75
$73K
P90
$95K

Career Growth Premium: +164%

Senior Chefs and Head Cookss in Florida earn $59,390 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$59,390
Monthly Difference
+$4,949
Hourly Difference
+$28.55
Growth Multiple
2.6x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Chefs and Head Cooks salary increases with experience in Florida, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $36,150 $3,012 $17.38
Early Career P25 $45,430 $3,786 $21.84
Mid-Career Median $56,910 $4,742 $27.36
Experienced P75 $73,380 $6,115 $35.28
Senior / Expert P90 $95,540 $7,962 $45.93
Key Insight

Chefs and Head Cooks in Florida shows strong salary progression over a career. Entry-level professionals start around $36,150, while senior-level professionals earn $95,540 — a 164% increase. The biggest salary jump typically occurs between mid-career ($56,910) and experienced level ($73,380), suggesting that specialization and leadership responsibilities are the key drivers of higher pay.

How Florida Compares to Other States

Where does Florida rank for Chefs and Head Cooks senior-level salaries? Compare Florida's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$152,110
Entry: $68K
+122%
2
$114,730
Entry: $45K
+150%
3
$109,620
Entry: $28K
+287%
4
$106,560
Entry: $62K
+71%
5
$106,230
Entry: $50K
+109%
6
$103,230
Entry: $43K
+135%
7
$101,240
Entry: $35K
+188%
8
$99,440
Entry: $35K
+178%
9
$99,320
Entry: $39K
+151%
10
$98,050
Entry: $39K
+150%

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Chefs and Head Cooks?

Entry-level Chefs and Head Cookss (10th percentile) earn approximately $36,150 per year, or $3,012 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $45,430. Based on 2024 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Chefs and Head Cooks make?

Senior Chefs and Head Cookss (90th percentile) earn approximately $95,540 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $73,380. This represents a career premium of 164% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Chefs and Head Cooks?

The career salary growth potential for Chefs and Head Cookss is 164%. Entry-level professionals start at $36,150, while senior-level can earn up to $95,540 — a difference of $59,390 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Chefs and Head Cookss?

The highest-paying state for senior Chefs and Head Cookss is Florida, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $95,540 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Chefs and Head Cooks salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

Related Salary Pages

About This Data

Salary percentile data for Florida from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Florida.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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