Rhode Island Median
$79,930
per year
Hourly Rate
$38.43
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+28% vs US median
US median $62,470
State Rank
#1 of 51
740 employed here
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make in Rhode Island?
Chefs and Head Cooks working in Rhode Island earn a median salary of $79,930 per year, or about $38.43 per hour. That is 28% above the national median of $62,470 for this occupation.
Within Rhode Island, entry-level pay starts around $56,680 while the top 10% make $127,080 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $71,630 and $96,180 a year.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary range in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,680 | $27.25 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $71,630 | $34.44 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $79,930 | $38.43 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $96,180 | $46.24 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,080 | $61.10 |
|
How Rhode Island compares
Rhode Island ranks 1st 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
Hawaii $77,360District of Columbia $76,420Washington $76,010North Dakota $74,740New 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 Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island pay ($79,930) 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 Rhode Island?
The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Rhode Island is $79,930 per year, or about $38.43 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $56,680 at the entry level to $127,080 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Rhode Island pay compare to the national average?
Rhode Island pays Chefs and Head Cooks about 28% more than the national median of $62,470. Rhode Island ranks 1st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Rhode Island a good state for Chefs and Head Cooks?
Yes on pay — Rhode Island pays above the national median for this occupation, at $79,930 a year. About 740 Chefs and Head Cooks are employed in Rhode Island. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Rhode Island?
The highest-paying occupations in Rhode Island include Emergency Medicine Physician ($512,730), Family Medicine Physician ($467,160), Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($450,370), 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.