The median annual wage for chefs and head cooks was $41,500 in May 2015. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $23,150, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $74,170.

In May 2015, the median annual wages for chefs and head cooks in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

The level of pay for chefs and head cooks varies greatly by region and employer. Pay is usually highest in upscale restaurants and hotels, where many executive chefs work, as well as in major metropolitan and resort areas.

About 1 in 20 chefs and head cooks were self-employed in 2014. Some self-employed chefs run their own restaurant or catering business.

Most chefs and head cooks work full time and often work early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays. Many chefs, head cooks, and chefs who run their own business work more than 40 hours a week because they oversee the delivery of food products early in the day and use the afternoon to prepare special menu items.