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Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in California
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make in California?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$64,500
Median Annual Salary
▼
-3.4% vs 2024
$69,130
Mean Salary
$64,500
Median Salary
$31.01
Hourly Rate
31,670 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in California
Chefs and Head Cooks salary by percentile in California
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Chefs and Head Cooks in California earn a median salary of $64,500 per year ($5,375/month).
This is 4.1% above the national average of $61,962.
California ranks #15 out of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks pay.
Approximately 31,670 people work in this occupation across California.
Salaries decreased by 3.4% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Chefs and Head Cooks
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.
Top Skills
Coordination
4.0
Speaking
3.88
Monitoring
3.88
Time Management
3.88
Active Listening
3.75
Key Knowledge Areas
Food Production
4.69
Customer and Personal Service
4.14
Production and Processing
4.04
Administration and Management
4.03
Personnel and Human Resources
3.96
Typical Education: Associate's Degree
(51.7% of workers)
Salaries for Chefs and Head Cooks in California range from $37,380 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $101,870 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $46,320 and $81,040.
Median $64,500
P10: $37,380P25: $46,320P75: $81,040P90: $101,870
10th
$37,380
25th
$46,320
Median
$64,500
75th
$81,040
90th
$101,870
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$37,380
$17.97
$3,115
25th Percentile
$46,320
$22.27
$3,860
Median (50th)
$64,500
$31.01
$5,375
75th Percentile
$81,040
$38.96
$6,753
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$101,870
$48.98
$8,489
Note: The mean (average) salary of $69,130 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make in California?
The median annual salary for Chefs and Head Cooks in California is $64,500 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $69,130.
What is the salary range for a Chefs and Head Cooks in California?
Salaries for Chefs and Head Cooks in California range from $37,380 at the 10th percentile to $101,870 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $46,320 and $81,040.
What is the starting salary for a Chefs and Head Cooks in California?
Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks positions in California typically start around $37,380 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $46,320 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in California?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 31,670 people are employed as Chefs and Head Cooks in California.
What is the hourly rate for a Chefs and Head Cooks in California?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Chefs and Head Cooks in California is approximately $31.01 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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