Best cities for a chef
The best cities for chefs are Corpus Christi, TX, Laredo, TX, and Philadelphia, PA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for chefs vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for chefs in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a chef or considering a move, this list of the best cities for chefs to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for chefs. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a chef. While the absolute best city for chefs is Corpus Christi, TX, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for chefs in 2024.
If you're looking for a chef job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for chefs in 2026
1. Corpus Christi, TX
Chef jobs in Corpus ChristiTotal chef jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $54,501 Lowest 10 percent warn: $36,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $80,000 Location quotient: 4.87 2. Laredo, TX
Chef jobs in LaredoTotal chef jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $54,895 Lowest 10 percent warn: $37,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $81,000 Location quotient: 3.01 3. Philadelphia, PA
Chef jobs in PhiladelphiaTotal chef jobs: 54 Average annual salary: $52,140 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $80,000 Location quotient: 2.49 4. Las Vegas, NV
Chef jobs in Las VegasTotal chef jobs: 49 Average annual salary: $51,263 Lowest 10 percent warn: $34,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $76,000 Location quotient: 4.63 5. Urban Honolulu, HI
Chef jobs in Urban HonoluluTotal chef jobs: 12 Average annual salary: $71,516 Lowest 10 percent warn: $55,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $91,000 Location quotient: 2.13 6. Austin, TX
Chef jobs in AustinTotal chef jobs: 47 Average annual salary: $53,145 Lowest 10 percent warn: $36,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $77,000 Location quotient: 1.56 7. Glendale, AZ
Chef jobs in GlendaleTotal chef jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $47,704 Lowest 10 percent warn: $32,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $69,000 Location quotient: 4.04 8. Houston, TX
Chef jobs in HoustonTotal chef jobs: 73 Average annual salary: $53,087 Lowest 10 percent warn: $36,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $77,000 Location quotient: 1.45 9. Lubbock, TX
Total chef jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $51,854 Lowest 10 percent warn: $36,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $74,000 Location quotient: 1.49 10. Reno, NV
Chef jobs in RenoTotal chef jobs: 6 Average annual salary: $51,827 Lowest 10 percent warn: $34,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $77,000 Location quotient: 1.77
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Best cities for chefs
- Corpus Christi, TX
- Laredo, TX
- Philadelphia, PA
- Las Vegas, NV
- Urban Honolulu, HI
- Austin, TX
- Glendale, AZ
- Houston, TX
- Lubbock, TX
- Reno, NV
Detailed list of the best cities for a chef
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Corpus Christi, TX | $54,501 | $36,000 | 325,733 | 5 |
| 2 | Laredo, TX | $54,895 | $37,000 | 257,156 | 2 |
| 3 | Philadelphia, PA | $52,140 | $33,000 | 1,567,872 | 54 |
| 4 | Las Vegas, NV | $51,263 | $34,000 | 632,912 | 49 |
| 5 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $71,516 | $55,000 | 351,792 | 12 |
| 6 | Austin, TX | $53,145 | $36,000 | 947,890 | 47 |
| 7 | Glendale, AZ | $47,704 | $32,000 | 245,895 | 5 |
| 8 | Houston, TX | $53,087 | $36,000 | 2,303,482 | 73 |
| 9 | Lubbock, TX | $51,854 | $36,000 | 252,506 | 2 |
| 10 | Reno, NV | $51,827 | $34,000 | 245,255 | 6 |
| 11 | Gilbert, AZ | $47,517 | $32,000 | 237,133 | 3 |
| 12 | El Paso, TX | $54,199 | $37,000 | 683,080 | 4 |
| 13 | Seattle, WA | $57,286 | $39,000 | 704,352 | 60 |
| 14 | Anaheim, CA | $53,839 | $36,000 | 351,043 | 12 |
| 15 | Los Angeles, CA | $54,105 | $36,000 | 3,976,322 | 117 |
| 16 | Pittsburgh, PA | $48,665 | $32,000 | 303,625 | 19 |
| 17 | Oakland, CA | $55,445 | $36,000 | 420,005 | 7 |
| 18 | Chula Vista, CA | $53,129 | $35,000 | 267,172 | 5 |
| 19 | San Antonio, TX | $53,751 | $36,000 | 1,492,510 | 12 |
| 20 | Newark, NJ | $66,287 | $42,000 | 281,764 | 6 |
| 21 | Boston, MA | $55,491 | $35,000 | 673,184 | 44 |
| 22 | Long Beach, CA | $53,972 | $36,000 | 470,130 | 5 |
| 23 | Saint Louis, MO | $45,144 | $31,000 | 311,404 | 29 |
| 24 | Mesa, AZ | $47,508 | $32,000 | 484,587 | 3 |
| 25 | Irvine, CA | $53,744 | $36,000 | 266,122 | 22 |
| 26 | Miami, FL | $43,734 | $27,000 | 453,579 | 34 |
| 27 | Sacramento, CA | $54,543 | $35,000 | 495,234 | 14 |
| 28 | Hialeah, FL | $43,723 | $27,000 | 236,387 | 1 |
| 29 | Stockton, CA | $54,830 | $36,000 | 307,072 | 2 |
| 30 | Jersey City, NJ | $66,354 | $42,000 | 264,152 | 9 |
| 31 | Fort Worth, TX | $51,321 | $35,000 | 854,113 | 6 |
| 32 | Irving, TX | $51,200 | $35,000 | 238,289 | 15 |
| 33 | Fresno, CA | $54,634 | $36,000 | 522,053 | 3 |
| 34 | Santa Ana, CA | $53,806 | $36,000 | 334,217 | 3 |
| 35 | Dallas, TX | $51,218 | $35,000 | 1,317,929 | 21 |
| 36 | Chandler, AZ | $47,554 | $32,000 | 247,477 | 4 |
| 37 | Atlanta, GA | $48,656 | $33,000 | 472,522 | 37 |
| 38 | Chicago, IL | $47,597 | $33,000 | 2,704,958 | 55 |
| 39 | New Orleans, LA | $38,669 | $26,000 | 391,495 | 12 |
| 40 | Fremont, CA | $55,433 | $36,000 | 233,136 | 8 |
| 41 | Bakersfield, CA | $54,443 | $36,000 | 376,380 | 2 |
| 42 | Washington, DC | $51,303 | $33,000 | 681,170 | 54 |
| 43 | Orlando, FL | $43,088 | $28,000 | 277,173 | 15 |
| 44 | Phoenix, AZ | $47,666 | $32,000 | 1,615,017 | 18 |
| 45 | New York, NY | $45,118 | $28,000 | 8,537,673 | 14 |
| 46 | Charlotte, NC | $40,191 | $27,000 | 842,051 | 42 |
| 47 | Plano, TX | $51,039 | $35,000 | 286,057 | 8 |
| 48 | Portland, OR | $45,821 | $31,000 | 639,863 | 21 |
| 49 | Indianapolis, IN | $41,630 | $29,000 | 855,164 | 22 |
| 50 | San Diego, CA | $53,205 | $35,000 | 1,406,630 | 33 |
Highest paying cities for chefs
| Rank | City | Avg. chef salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $71,516 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $57,286 |
| 3 | Redwood City, CA | $55,617 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $55,491 |
| 5 | Austin, TX | $53,145 |
| 6 | Philadelphia, PA | $52,140 |
| 7 | Washington, DC | $51,303 |
| 8 | Las Vegas, NV | $51,263 |
| 9 | Columbus, GA | $49,011 |
| 10 | Portland, ME | $48,340 |
| 11 | Phoenix, AZ | $47,666 |
| 12 | Chicago, IL | $47,597 |
| 13 | Denver, CO | $45,825 |
| 14 | Portland, OR | $45,821 |
| 15 | Saint Louis, MO | $45,144 |
| 16 | New York, NY | $45,118 |
| 17 | Miami, FL | $43,734 |
| 18 | Indianapolis, IN | $41,630 |
| 19 | Arlington, VA | $40,646 |
| 20 | Asheville, NC | $40,197 |
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Updated January 8, 2025