Careers → Food Service → Chefs and Head Cooks

Chefs and Head Cooks

Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information

Median Salary

$60,990

~$29/hr · ~$5,083/mo

US Jobs

197K

Much faster than average

AI & Automation Risk

3/10

Low Risk

AI & Automation Risk

Low Risk 3/10

The core of the job is highly physical and sensory, requiring manual dexterity, real-time human leadership in a fast-paced kitchen, and the use of taste and smell. While AI can significantly assist with peripheral digital tasks like menu planning, inventory management, and recipe generation, it cannot replace the physical oversight and hands-on food preparation essential to the role.

Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home

Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.

City	Local Salary	Cost of Living	Real Purchasing Power
Terre Haute, INBEST VALUE	$83,880	Below avg (88.3)	$95,042
Morgantown, WV	$87,280	Below avg (92.2)	$94,681
Alexandria, LA	$80,290	Below avg (86.5)	$92,796
Kahului-Wailuku, HI	$87,410	Above avg (107.2)	$81,545
Tuscaloosa, AL	$69,560	Below avg (89.1)	$78,063
Vineland, NJ	$72,740	Below avg (93.9)	$77,453
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA	$78,390	Average (101.5)	$77,223
Auburn-Opelika, AL	$66,550	Below avg (87.6)	$76,006
Huntsville, AL	$70,960	Below avg (93.8)	$75,643
Mobile, AL	$66,440	Below avg (88.7)	$74,872
Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL	$69,690	Below avg (94.2)	$73,985
Beckley, WV	$64,970	Below avg (89.5)	$72,590
Naples-Marco Island, FL	$74,990	Above avg (106.5)	$70,427
Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ	$69,630	Average (98.9)	$70,401
Sheboygan, WI	$63,740	Below avg (90.9)	$70,124