New York Median
$70,670
per year
Hourly Rate
$33.98
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+13% vs US median
US median $62,470
State Rank
#9 of 51
17,430 employed here
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make in New York?
Chefs and Head Cooks in New York take home a median of $70,670 annually — roughly $33.98 an hour — which runs 13% above the national median of $62,470.
Within New York, entry-level pay starts around $46,260 while the top 10% make $120,370 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $55,070 and $93,240 a year.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary range in New York
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,260 | $22.24 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $55,070 | $26.48 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $70,670 | $33.98 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $93,240 | $44.83 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $120,370 | $57.87 |
|
How New York compares
New York ranks 9th out of 51 states and territories for Chefs and Head Cooks pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Chefs and Head Cooks salary in other states
Rhode Island $79,930Hawaii $77,360District of Columbia $76,420Washington $76,010North Dakota $74,740New Jersey $74,280Wyoming $73,170South Carolina $71,860Tennessee $69,810Massachusetts $69,540Georgia $66,230Vermont $65,440Colorado $65,400California $64,500Missouri $64,480Connecticut $64,310Pennsylvania $63,860Oregon $63,600New Hampshire $63,400Virginia $63,270Minnesota $62,600Alabama $62,400Nevada $62,380New Mexico $62,250Maryland $61,590Delaware $61,440Wisconsin $61,300North Carolina $61,130West Virginia $61,100Nebraska $60,510Michigan $60,070Arizona $59,890Utah $59,060Illinois $58,830Oklahoma $58,540Kansas $58,390Florida $58,240Montana $57,470Maine $57,010Texas $56,080Mississippi $54,850Ohio $53,990Alaska $52,190Indiana $52,190Idaho $52,000South Dakota $48,470Kentucky $48,070Iowa $47,990Arkansas $46,170Louisiana $45,570
Working as Chefs and Head Cooks in New York
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 New York pay ($70,670) 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 New York?
The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in New York is $70,670 per year, or about $33.98 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $46,260 at the entry level to $120,370 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New York pay compare to the national average?
New York pays Chefs and Head Cooks about 13% more than the national median of $62,470. New York ranks 9th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New York a good state for Chefs and Head Cooks?
Yes on pay — New York pays above the national median for this occupation, at $70,670 a year. About 17,430 Chefs and Head Cooks are employed in New York. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New York?
The highest-paying occupations in New York include Cardiologist ($492,040), Anesthesiologist ($445,660), Radiologist ($441,580), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Chefs and Head Cooks salary report
Related salaries
$44,080
median pay · 1,223,000 employed
$47,940
median pay · 1,000 employed
$30,890
median pay · 641,000 employed
$34,810
median pay · 477,000 employed
$31,200
median pay · 3,854,000 employed
$34,340
median pay · 756,000 employed
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.