Chef Salary By State: Highest-Paid Chefs by State [2026]
Research Summary. The Zippia data science team has conducted in-depth research to provide comprehensive insights into chef salaries across the United States for 2026:
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Hawaii boasts the highest chef salary at $71,544.
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Wyoming ranks lowest with a chef salary of $27,439.
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The national average salary for chefs stands at $46,824.
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The national hourly wage for chefs is $22.51.
For additional details, refer to the specific methodology.
Background
Salary remains a paramount consideration for job seekers, consistently ranking as the top priority in surveys across various demographics. Many individuals ask, “How much do chefs earn in my area?”
While specific earnings can vary based on location and experience, there is robust data available that outlines average chef salaries by state in the U.S., segmented by seniority levels. Even if your city’s figures differ slightly from the state average, these benchmarks will help you gauge your potential salary.
As of 2026, Hawaii has emerged as the leading state for chef salaries.
Below is a snapshot of the top ten states for chef salaries:
Let’s explore how these salaries were determined and provide a complete ranking of all states.
Highest-Paid Chefs By State
| Rank | State | Average Chef Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $71,544 | $56,000 | $91,000 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $66,145 | $42,000 | $102,000 |
| 3 | Washington | $57,071 | $39,000 | $81,000 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $55,548 | $35,000 | $87,000 |
| 5 | California | $54,271 | $36,000 | $81,000 |
| 6 | Texas | $52,587 | $36,000 | $76,000 |
| 7 | Rhode Island | $51,863 | $32,000 | $81,000 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | $51,526 | $33,000 | $78,000 |
| 9 | Nevada | $51,293 | $34,000 | $76,000 |
| 10 | Delaware | $50,789 | $33,000 | $77,000 |
| 11 | Alaska | $50,304 | $40,000 | $62,000 |
| 12 | Vermont | $49,964 | $32,000 | $77,000 |
| 13 | Georgia | $48,701 | $34,000 | $69,000 |
| 14 | Maryland | $48,353 | $32,000 | $72,000 |
| 15 | Connecticut | $48,020 | $30,000 | $75,000 |
| 16 | Maine | $47,627 | $30,000 | $74,000 |
| 17 | Arizona | $47,580 | $32,000 | $69,000 |
| 18 | Illinois | $47,560 | $33,000 | $67,000 |
| 19 | Michigan | $47,395 | $32,000 | $68,000 |
| 20 | North Dakota | $46,969 | $33,000 | $65,000 |
| 21 | Alabama | $46,431 | $32,000 | $66,000 |
| 22 | Oregon | $46,135 | $31,000 | $66,000 |
| 23 | New Mexico | $46,088 | $32,000 | $66,000 |
| 24 | Colorado | $45,910 | $32,000 | $64,000 |
| 25 | New Hampshire | $45,875 | $29,000 | $71,000 |
| 26 | Oklahoma | $45,499 | $32,000 | $64,000 |
| 27 | Missouri | $45,055 | $32,000 | $63,000 |
| 28 | New York | $44,972 | $28,000 | $70,000 |
| 29 | Montana | $44,671 | $32,000 | $62,000 |
| 30 | West Virginia | $43,797 | $30,000 | $63,000 |
| 31 | Florida | $43,207 | $28,000 | $65,000 |
| 32 | Indiana | $41,629 | $29,000 | $59,000 |
| 33 | Utah | $40,357 | $28,000 | $57,000 |
| 34 | Kansas | $40,345 | $28,000 | $56,000 |
| 35 | North Carolina | $40,324 | $27,000 | $58,000 |
| 36 | Arkansas | $40,241 | $28,000 | $56,000 |
| 37 | Virginia | $39,851 | $26,000 | $59,000 |
| 38 | Minnesota | $39,324 | $27,000 | $55,000 |
| 39 | Louisiana | $38,504 | $26,000 | $55,000 |
| 40 | Mississippi | $37,252 | $26,000 | $53,000 |
| 41 | Ohio | $36,109 | $25,000 | $51,000 |
| 42 | Idaho | $35,857 | $25,000 | $51,000 |
| 43 | Tennessee | $35,248 | $24,000 | $49,000 |
| 44 | Kentucky | $34,789 | $24,000 | $49,000 |
| 45 | Nebraska | $34,540 | $24,000 | $48,000 |
| 46 | South Dakota | $34,538 | $24,000 | $48,000 |
| 47 | Wisconsin | $34,164 | $24,000 | $48,000 |
| 48 | Iowa | $33,821 | $24,000 | $47,000 |
| 49 | South Carolina | $33,257 | $23,000 | $47,000 |
| 50 | Wyoming | $27,439 | $19,000 | $38,000 |
Methodology: Chef Salary By State
To accurately assess chef salaries by state, Zippia has compiled data from various reputable sources, including the BLS, FLC, and OPM, supplemented by actual salaries from job postings. The data science team then computes a weighted average from these inputs to determine the average pay for chefs by state.
We ranked all states based on average annual salary, identifying the state with the highest earnings as the top location for chefs.
Chef Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for chefs?
The highest-paid state for chefs is Hawaii, offering an average salary of $71,544 per year.
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What city pays chefs the most?
Urban Honolulu, HI, pays chefs the highest, with an average salary of $71,516 per year.
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What is the lowest-paying state for chefs?
The lowest-paying state for chefs is Wyoming, with an average salary of $27,439 per year.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
