Chefs and Head Cooks vs First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers: Salary Comparison

Side-by-side salary data across all 50 states. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024).

National Salary Overview

Chefs and Head Cooks

Median Salary
$56,965
Average (Mean)
$61,167
Employed Nationwide
172,350
VS

First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers

Median Salary
$40,245
Average (Mean)
$43,448
Employed Nationwide
1,176,570
Chefs and Head Cooks earns $16,719 more (41.5%)

Key Metrics Compared

Median Salary $56,965 $40,245
Average (Mean) Salary $61,167 $43,448
Total Employment 172,350 1,176,570
States with Higher Pay 50 1

Salary by State: Chefs and Head Cooks vs First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers

Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Chefs and Head Cooks pays more in 50 states; First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers pays more in 1.

State Chefs and Head Cooks First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers Difference
Alabama $58,240
$35,200
+$23,040
Alaska $60,250
$45,790
+$14,460
Arizona $64,560
$40,580
+$23,980
Arkansas $46,380
$31,640
+$14,740
California $60,930
$43,740
+$17,190
Colorado $63,470
$46,180
+$17,290
Connecticut $60,570
$45,250
+$15,320
Delaware $51,550
$46,070
+$5,480
District of Columbia $69,410
$57,520
+$11,890
Florida $56,910
$38,170
+$18,740
Georgia $52,230
$36,160
+$16,070
Hawaii $94,030
$44,370
+$49,660
Idaho $45,600
$36,500
+$9,100
Illinois $61,420
$38,740
+$22,680
Indiana $51,440
$37,200
+$14,240
Iowa $41,790
$37,980
+$3,810
Kansas $53,760
$37,230
+$16,530
Kentucky $36,770
$35,050
+$1,720
Louisiana $45,100
$34,780
+$10,320
Maine $58,490
$44,870
+$13,620
Maryland $63,550
$39,530
+$24,020
Massachusetts $75,770
$44,930
+$30,840
Michigan $56,630
$37,120
+$19,510
Minnesota $57,440
$43,160
+$14,280
Mississippi $49,550
$32,610
+$16,940
Missouri $54,230
$36,240
+$17,990
Montana $48,890
$38,770
+$10,120
Nebraska $51,940
$36,380
+$15,560
Nevada $52,980
$36,810
+$16,170
New Hampshire $56,040
$46,320
+$9,720
New Jersey $65,000
$46,780
+$18,220
New Mexico $63,440
$36,870
+$26,570
New York $62,750
$45,870
+$16,880
North Carolina $57,940
$38,490
+$19,450
North Dakota $75,400
$44,970
+$30,430
Ohio $47,980
$36,570
+$11,410
Oklahoma $33,090
$34,790
$-1,700
Oregon $56,900
$43,200
+$13,700
Pennsylvania $60,200
$38,050
+$22,150
Rhode Island $75,590
$56,410
+$19,180
South Carolina $52,500
$37,790
+$14,710
South Dakota $46,260
$37,930
+$8,330
Tennessee $55,650
$36,810
+$18,840
Texas $48,560
$35,710
+$12,850
Utah $49,450
$37,440
+$12,010
Vermont $61,240
$46,600
+$14,640
Virginia $49,660
$43,290
+$6,370
Washington $67,140
$45,520
+$21,620
West Virginia $55,180
$29,680
+$25,500
Wisconsin $59,160
$38,010
+$21,150
Wyoming $62,220
$36,850
+$25,370

Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes more: Chefs and Head Cooks or First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers?
On average across all states, a Chefs and Head Cooks earns more than a First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers. The national median salary difference is $16,719 (41.5%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Chefs and Head Cooks earn more than a First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers?
A Chefs and Head Cooks earns a higher median salary than a First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers in 50 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers pays more in 1 states.
What is the median salary for a Chefs and Head Cooks vs First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers?
The national median salary for a Chefs and Head Cooks is $56,965 per year, compared to $40,245 for a First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Chefs and Head Cooks or First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers?
There are more people employed as First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers. BLS reports approximately 172,350 Chefs and Head Cooks positions and 1,176,570 First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Chefs and Head Cooks or First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers?
Both Chefs and Head Cooks and First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.