North Dakota Median
$74,740
per year
Hourly Rate
$35.93
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+20% vs US median
US median $62,470
State Rank
#5 of 51
100 employed here
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make in North Dakota?
Chefs and Head Cooks working in North Dakota earn a median salary of $74,740 per year, or about $35.93 per hour. That is 20% above the national median of $62,470 for this occupation.
Within North Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $48,240 while the top 10% make $85,190 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,940 and $78,700 a year.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary range in North Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,240 | $23.19 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $48,940 | $23.53 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $74,740 | $35.93 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $78,700 | $37.84 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85,190 | $40.96 |
|
How North Dakota compares
North Dakota ranks 5th 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 $76,010New Jersey $74,280Wyoming $73,170South Carolina $71,860New York $70,670Tennessee $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 North Dakota
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 North Dakota pay ($74,740) 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 North Dakota?
The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in North Dakota is $74,740 per year, or about $35.93 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $48,240 at the entry level to $85,190 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Dakota pay compare to the national average?
North Dakota pays Chefs and Head Cooks about 20% more than the national median of $62,470. North Dakota ranks 5th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Dakota a good state for Chefs and Head Cooks?
Yes on pay — North Dakota pays above the national median for this occupation, at $74,740 a year. About 100 Chefs and Head Cooks are employed in North Dakota. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in North Dakota include Surgeon, All Other ($604,890), Radiologist ($553,140), Physician, All Other ($454,550), 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.