Occupation Salary Profile

Chefs and Head Cooks

SOC Code: 35-1011

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.

National Median (BLS)
$63,860
▲ +16.87% Nominal +13.18% Real
H-1B Sponsor Median
$70,000
▲ +7.69% Nominal +4.42% Real
Average Base Salary
$67,870
Domestic Mean Pay
Total U.S. Employment
2,980
Active Positions (BLS)
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Highest Employment State Calculating…
Highest Paying Metro Calculating…

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National Baseline Wage Distribution

Empirical wage tiers reported across all 50 states by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for Chefs and Head Cooks.

Percentile Tier Annual Base Salary
10th Percentile $42,720
25th Percentile $51,370
National Median (50th Percentile) $63,860
75th Percentile $77,080
90th Percentile $97,320
P10: $42,720 P50 (Median): $63,860 P90: $97,320
Foreign Talent Market

H-1B Visa Sponsor Compensation Benchmarks

Based on 66 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed by U.S. employers (Trailing 12 Months vs Prior 12 Months).

H-1B National Median $70,000
YoY Nominal Growth (T12M) ▲ +7.69%
Real Wage Growth (CPI-U Adj) ▲ +4.42%
H-1B Percentile Tier Sponsored Base Salary
10th Percentile $50,980
25th Percentile $60,000
H-1B Median (50th Percentile) $70,000
75th Percentile $81,600
90th Percentile $96,093
H-1B P10: $50,980 H-1B P50: $70,000 H-1B P90: $96,093
💡 Market Premium Insight: The median salary for foreign talent sponsored for Chefs and Head Cooks roles ($70,000) is +9.6% higher than the broader domestic BLS national median ($63,860).