Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Minnesota (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Chefs and Head Cooks in Minnesota, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Minnesota Median
$62,600
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.10
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+0% vs US median
US median $62,470
State Rank
#22 of 51
1,730 employed here

How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make in Minnesota?

Chefs and Head Cooks working in Minnesota earn a median salary of $62,600 per year, or about $30.10 per hour. That is 0% above the national median of $62,470 for this occupation.

Within Minnesota, entry-level pay starts around $48,400 while the top 10% make $95,890 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $53,050 and $75,960 a year.

Chefs and Head Cooks salary range in Minnesota

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$48,400$23.27
25th percentile (early career)$53,050$25.50
50th percentile (median)$62,600$30.10
75th percentile (experienced)$75,960$36.52
90th percentile (top earners)$95,890$46.10

How Minnesota compares

Minnesota ranks 22nd out of 51 states and territories for Chefs and Head Cooks pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Rhode Island$79,930
2Hawaii$77,360
3District of Columbia$76,420
4Washington$76,010
5North Dakota$74,740

Working as Chefs and Head Cooks in Minnesota

Nationally, about 200,000 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Minnesota pay ($62,600) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make in Minnesota?
The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Minnesota is $62,600 per year, or about $30.10 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $48,400 at the entry level to $95,890 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Minnesota pay compare to the national average?
Minnesota pays Chefs and Head Cooks about 0% more than the national median of $62,470. Minnesota ranks 22nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Minnesota a good state for Chefs and Head Cooks?
Yes on pay — Minnesota pays above the national median for this occupation, at $62,600 a year. About 1,730 Chefs and Head Cooks are employed in Minnesota. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Minnesota?
The highest-paying occupations in Minnesota include Radiologist ($708,340), Dermatologist ($625,790), Surgeon, All Other ($568,150), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Chefs and Head Cooks salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.