Career Atlas USA

Highest-Paying States for Chefs and Head Cooks

Ranked purely by BLS median annual wage — this does not account for cost of living or job availability. See best states for a balanced ranking.

  1. 1Rhode Island$79,930
  2. 2Hawaii$77,360
  3. 3District of Columbia$76,420
  4. 4Washington$76,010
  5. 5North Dakota$74,740
  6. 6New Jersey$74,280
  7. 7Wyoming$73,170
  8. 8South Carolina$71,860
  9. 9New York$70,670
  10. 10Tennessee$69,810
  11. 11Massachusetts$69,540
  12. 12Georgia$66,230
  13. 13Vermont$65,440
  14. 14Colorado$65,400
  15. 15California$64,500