Best cities for a chef/catering
The best cities for chef/caterings are Philadelphia, PA, Las Vegas, NV, and Jersey City, NJ, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for chef/caterings vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for chef/caterings in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a chef/catering or considering a move, this list of the best cities for chef/caterings to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for chef/caterings. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a chef/catering. While the absolute best city for chef/caterings is Philadelphia, PA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for chef/caterings in 2024.
If you're looking for a chef/catering job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for chef/caterings in 2026
1. Philadelphia, PA
Total chef/catering jobs: 9 Average annual salary: $74,010 Lowest 10 percent warn: $40,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $134,000 Location quotient: 6.44 2. Las Vegas, NV
Total chef/catering jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $59,952 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $108,000 Location quotient: 2.94 3. Jersey City, NJ
Total chef/catering jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $90,379 Lowest 10 percent warn: $49,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $163,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. Newark, NJ
Total chef/catering jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $90,275 Lowest 10 percent warn: $49,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $163,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. Reno, NV
Total chef/catering jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $61,504 Lowest 10 percent warn: $34,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $110,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. New York, NY
Total chef/catering jobs: 10 Average annual salary: $66,383 Lowest 10 percent warn: $36,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $120,000 Location quotient: 1.06 7. Pittsburgh, PA
Total chef/catering jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $68,665 Lowest 10 percent warn: $38,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $123,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Islip, NY
Total chef/catering jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $66,693 Lowest 10 percent warn: $36,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $120,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Cleveland, OH
Total chef/catering jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $57,901 Lowest 10 percent warn: $32,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $103,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Brookhaven, NY
Total chef/catering jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $66,646 Lowest 10 percent warn: $36,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $120,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for chef/caterings
- Philadelphia, PA
- Las Vegas, NV
- Jersey City, NJ
- Newark, NJ
- Reno, NV
- New York, NY
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Islip, NY
- Cleveland, OH
- Brookhaven, NY
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Detailed list of the best cities for a chef/catering
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia, PA | $74,010 | $40,000 | 1,567,872 | 9 |
| 2 | Las Vegas, NV | $59,952 | $33,000 | 632,912 | 2 |
| 3 | Jersey City, NJ | $90,379 | $49,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 4 | Newark, NJ | $90,275 | $49,000 | 281,764 | - |
| 5 | Reno, NV | $61,504 | $34,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 6 | New York, NY | $66,383 | $36,000 | 8,537,673 | 10 |
| 7 | Pittsburgh, PA | $68,665 | $38,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 8 | Islip, NY | $66,693 | $36,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 9 | Cleveland, OH | $57,901 | $32,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 10 | Brookhaven, NY | $66,646 | $36,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 11 | Henderson, NV | $59,820 | $33,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 12 | Hempstead, NY | $66,573 | $36,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 13 | North Las Vegas, NV | $59,737 | $33,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 14 | Oyster Bay, NY | $66,464 | $36,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 15 | Detroit, MI | $56,771 | $31,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 16 | Toledo, OH | $55,049 | $31,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 17 | Columbus, OH | $53,507 | $30,000 | 860,090 | - |
| 18 | Stockton, CA | $68,286 | $36,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 19 | San Francisco, CA | $69,769 | $37,000 | 870,887 | - |
| 20 | Oakland, CA | $69,525 | $37,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 21 | Sacramento, CA | $67,887 | $36,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 22 | Los Angeles, CA | $65,233 | $35,000 | 3,976,322 | 4 |
| 23 | San Jose, CA | $69,374 | $37,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 24 | Fremont, CA | $69,366 | $37,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 25 | Cincinnati, OH | $50,012 | $28,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 26 | Fresno, CA | $67,238 | $36,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 27 | Boston, MA | $61,088 | $34,000 | 673,184 | 1 |
| 28 | Bakersfield, CA | $66,671 | $36,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 29 | Washington, DC | $71,105 | $39,000 | 681,170 | - |
| 30 | Fort Wayne, IN | $51,753 | $29,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 31 | Buffalo, NY | $61,287 | $34,000 | 256,902 | - |
| 32 | Indianapolis, IN | $49,121 | $28,000 | 855,164 | - |
| 33 | Long Beach, CA | $64,640 | $35,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 34 | Austin, TX | $48,289 | $26,000 | 947,890 | 5 |
| 35 | Anaheim, CA | $64,445 | $35,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 36 | Phoenix, AZ | $51,038 | $28,000 | 1,615,017 | 1 |
| 37 | Santa Ana, CA | $64,279 | $35,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 38 | Glendale, AZ | $51,090 | $28,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 39 | Irvine, CA | $64,092 | $35,000 | 266,122 | - |
| 40 | San Diego, CA | $62,500 | $34,000 | 1,406,630 | 1 |
| 41 | Riverside, CA | $64,026 | $35,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 42 | Scottsdale, AZ | $50,920 | $28,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 43 | Chandler, AZ | $50,817 | $28,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 44 | Mesa, AZ | $50,764 | $28,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 45 | Chula Vista, CA | $62,295 | $34,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 46 | Gilbert, AZ | $50,762 | $28,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 47 | Houston, TX | $48,056 | $26,000 | 2,303,482 | 2 |
| 48 | Anchorage, AK | $50,521 | $34,000 | 298,192 | 5 |
| 49 | Tucson, AZ | $50,196 | $28,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 50 | Chicago, IL | $51,896 | $30,000 | 2,704,958 | 7 |
Highest paying cities for chef/caterings
| Rank | City | Avg. chef/catering salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newark, NJ | $90,275 |
| 2 | Philadelphia, PA | $74,010 |
| 3 | Santa Cruz, CA | $69,792 |
| 4 | Manchester, NH | $67,857 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $66,383 |
| 6 | Providence, RI | $66,066 |
| 7 | Worcester, MA | $61,316 |
| 8 | Westport, CT | $60,970 |
| 9 | Las Vegas, NV | $59,952 |
| 10 | Chesterfield, MI | $57,250 |
| 11 | Towson, MD | $53,716 |
| 12 | Chicago, IL | $51,896 |
| 13 | Winchester, VA | $51,047 |
| 14 | Mesa, AZ | $50,764 |
| 15 | Seattle, WA | $48,507 |
| 16 | Austin, TX | $48,289 |
| 17 | Chapel Hill, NC | $46,334 |
| 18 | Portland, OR | $42,899 |
| 19 | Florence, SC | $42,059 |
| 20 | Kansas City, MO | $41,498 |
Chef/catering best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025