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

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

Side-by-side salary data across all 50 states. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025).

National Salary Overview

Chefs and Head Cooks

Median Salary
$61,961
Average (Mean)
$65,188
Employed Nationwide
200,070
VS

First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers

Median Salary
$42,805
Average (Mean)
$46,330
Employed Nationwide
1,223,240
Chefs and Head Cooks earns $19,156 more (44.8%)
Chefs and Head Cooks vs First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers national median (BLS 2025)Ranked horizontal bars comparing 2 entries.Chefs and Head CooksChefs and Head CooksChefs and Head Cooks: $61,962$61,962First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving WorkersFirst-Line Supervisors of Fo…First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers: $42,805$42,805

Key Metrics Compared

Median Salary $61,961 $42,805
Average (Mean) Salary $65,188 $46,330
Total Employment 200,070 1,223,240
States with Higher Pay 51 0

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 51 states; First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers pays more in 0.

State Chefs and Head Cooks First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers Difference
Alabama $62,400
$37,110
+$25,290
Alaska $52,190
$46,570
+$5,620
Arizona $59,890
$40,550
+$19,340
Arkansas $46,170
$33,800
+$12,370
California $64,500
$46,980
+$17,520
Colorado $65,400
$50,550
+$14,850
Connecticut $64,310
$52,940
+$11,370
Delaware $61,440
$48,120
+$13,320
District of Columbia $76,420
$57,170
+$19,250
Florida $58,240
$44,470
+$13,770
Georgia $66,230
$38,600
+$27,630
Hawaii $77,360
$48,880
+$28,480
Idaho $52,000
$38,190
+$13,810
Illinois $58,830
$39,470
+$19,360
Indiana $52,190
$44,880
+$7,310
Iowa $47,990
$38,760
+$9,230
Kansas $58,390
$38,220
+$20,170
Kentucky $48,070
$35,810
+$12,260
Louisiana $45,570
$35,800
+$9,770
Maine $57,010
$47,990
+$9,020
Maryland $61,590
$42,450
+$19,140
Massachusetts $69,540
$46,600
+$22,940
Michigan $60,070
$37,940
+$22,130
Minnesota $62,600
$45,270
+$17,330
Mississippi $54,850
$36,530
+$18,320
Missouri $64,480
$37,400
+$27,080
Montana $57,470
$44,010
+$13,460
Nebraska $60,510
$39,230
+$21,280
Nevada $62,380
$44,030
+$18,350
New Hampshire $63,400
$49,710
+$13,690
New Jersey $74,280
$48,420
+$25,860
New Mexico $62,250
$39,310
+$22,940
New York $70,670
$47,190
+$23,480
North Carolina $61,130
$45,010
+$16,120
North Dakota $74,740
$44,720
+$30,020
Ohio $53,990
$37,340
+$16,650
Oklahoma $58,540
$35,420
+$23,120
Oregon $63,600
$46,950
+$16,650
Pennsylvania $63,860
$43,050
+$20,810
Rhode Island $79,930
$48,400
+$31,530
South Carolina $71,860
$38,520
+$33,340
South Dakota $48,470
$40,640
+$7,830
Tennessee $69,810
$40,500
+$29,310
Texas $56,080
$36,480
+$19,600
Utah $59,060
$38,750
+$20,310
Vermont $65,440
$49,820
+$15,620
Virginia $63,270
$45,550
+$17,720
Washington $76,010
$59,400
+$16,610
West Virginia $61,100
$33,070
+$28,030
Wisconsin $61,300
$39,670
+$21,630
Wyoming $73,170
$36,820
+$36,350

Explore This Comparison by State

Dive deeper — see how Chefs and Head Cooks vs First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.

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 $19,156 (44.8%) based on 2025 BLS data.
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 $61,961 per year, compared to $42,805 for a First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers, according to 2025 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 200,070 Chefs and Head Cooks positions and 1,223,240 First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers positions nationwide (2025).
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.

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