Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links marked with (Ad). If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more

Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Kansas: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Chefs and Head Cooks salary really buy you in Kansas?

Kansas is 10.0% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$58,390
Median annual (2025)
+11.1%
Real Purchasing Power
$64,877
COL-adjusted (RPP=90.0)

Kansas Cost of Living Index

Kansas's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 90.0, meaning prices are 10.0% lower the national average. A Chefs and Head Cooks earning $58,390 in Kansas has the equivalent purchasing power of $64,877 in an average-cost US state.

KS: 90.0
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Kansas's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $36,540 $40,600 +$4,060
25th Percentile (P25) $43,990 $48,877 +$4,887
Median (P50) $58,390 $64,877 +$6,487
75th Percentile (P75) $74,990 $83,322 +$8,332
90th Percentile (P90) $89,990 $99,988 +$9,998
Key Insight

A Chefs and Head Cooks in Kansas earns $58,390 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 11% further — like earning $64,877 in an average-cost state. This makes Kansas one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Kansas Runs Well Below National Cost

RPP 90.0

Kansas's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 90.0 means a basket of goods and services costs about 10.0% less than the national average. For a Chefs and Head Cooks, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.

Sizable COL Effect Reshapes This Salary

+11.1%

Adjusting $58,390 for Kansas's cost of living yields $64,878 — a 11.1% gain in real purchasing power. This magnitude usually reflects either a materially cheaper or materially pricier metro mix than the national average.

Above-Median Adjusted Pay

#21 / 51

Kansas sits at #21 of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks COL-adjusted salary — comfortably above the national midpoint.

Best States for Chefs and Head Cooks (After Cost of Living)

Where does Chefs and Head Cooks salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$84,261
RPP 88.7
2. Wyoming
$79,619
RPP 91.9
$76,773
RPP 93.6
$76,341
RPP 104.7
$76,045
RPP 91.8
6. Alabama
$71,070
RPP 87.8
$70,779
RPP 91.1
8. Hawaii
$69,819
RPP 110.8
$69,225
RPP 109.8
10. Georgia
$69,133
RPP 95.8

Kansas ranks #21 out of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Chefs and Head Cooks take-home pay in Kansas after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Chefs and Head Cooks in Kansas after cost of living?

A Chefs and Head Cooks in Kansas earns a median salary of $58,390 per year. After adjusting for Kansas's cost of living (RPP=90.0), the real purchasing power is $64,877 — a +11.1% difference.

Is Kansas expensive to live in?

Kansas's cost of living is 10.0% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Kansas is 90.0 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Chefs and Head Cooks in Kansas: $58,390 x (100 / 90.0) = $64,877. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Chefs and Head Cooks in Kansas financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Chefs and Head Cooks in Kansas enjoys 11.1% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

What To Do Next

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Related Salary Pages

Get Monthly Salary Insights & Career Data

Free data-driven career updates — no spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Join career-minded Americans who use data to make smarter decisions. Privacy Policy