Best cities for an executive chef
The best cities for executive chefs are Las Vegas, NV, Corpus Christi, TX, and Reno, NV, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for executive chefs vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for executive chefs in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as an executive chef or considering a move, this list of the best cities for executive chefs to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for executive chefs. We also consider how easy it is to find work as an executive chef. While the absolute best city for executive chefs is Las Vegas, NV, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for executive chefs in 2024.
If you're looking for an executive chef job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for executive chefs in 2025
1. Las Vegas, NV
Executive chef jobs in Las VegasTotal executive chef jobs: 63 Average annual salary: $67,885 Lowest 10 percent warn: $43,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $104,000 Location quotient: 1.90 2. Corpus Christi, TX
Executive chef jobs in Corpus ChristiTotal executive chef jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $61,279 Lowest 10 percent warn: $40,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $92,000 Location quotient: 2.18 3. Reno, NV
Executive chef jobs in RenoTotal executive chef jobs: 16 Average annual salary: $69,603 Lowest 10 percent warn: $44,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $109,000 Location quotient: 1.51 4. Henderson, NV
Executive chef jobs in HendersonTotal executive chef jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $67,622 Lowest 10 percent warn: $43,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $104,000 Location quotient: 1.28 5. Boston, MA
Executive chef jobs in BostonTotal executive chef jobs: 108 Average annual salary: $69,553 Lowest 10 percent warn: $46,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $104,000 Location quotient: 1.07 6. Philadelphia, PA
Executive chef jobs in PhiladelphiaTotal executive chef jobs: 61 Average annual salary: $63,722 Lowest 10 percent warn: $41,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $97,000 Location quotient: 0.90 7. Greensboro, NC
Executive chef jobs in GreensboroTotal executive chef jobs: 11 Average annual salary: $58,725 Lowest 10 percent warn: $38,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $88,000 Location quotient: 1.03 8. Oakland, CA
Executive chef jobs in OaklandTotal executive chef jobs: 12 Average annual salary: $75,619 Lowest 10 percent warn: $47,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $119,000 Location quotient: 0.89 9. Detroit, MI
Executive chef jobs in DetroitTotal executive chef jobs: 23 Average annual salary: $58,273 Lowest 10 percent warn: $38,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $88,000 Location quotient: 0.77 10. Urban Honolulu, HI
Executive chef jobs in Urban HonoluluTotal executive chef jobs: 17 Average annual salary: $79,271 Lowest 10 percent warn: $58,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $107,000 Location quotient: 0.96
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Best cities for executive chefs
- Las Vegas, NV
- Corpus Christi, TX
- Reno, NV
- Henderson, NV
- Boston, MA
- Philadelphia, PA
- Greensboro, NC
- Oakland, CA
- Detroit, MI
- Urban Honolulu, HI
Detailed list of the best cities for an executive chef
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Las Vegas, NV | $67,885 | $43,000 | 632,912 | 63 |
| 2 | Corpus Christi, TX | $61,279 | $40,000 | 325,733 | 7 |
| 3 | Reno, NV | $69,603 | $44,000 | 245,255 | 16 |
| 4 | Henderson, NV | $67,622 | $43,000 | 292,969 | 5 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $69,553 | $46,000 | 673,184 | 108 |
| 6 | Philadelphia, PA | $63,722 | $41,000 | 1,567,872 | 61 |
| 7 | Greensboro, NC | $58,725 | $38,000 | 287,027 | 11 |
| 8 | Oakland, CA | $75,619 | $47,000 | 420,005 | 12 |
| 9 | Detroit, MI | $58,273 | $38,000 | 672,795 | 23 |
| 10 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $79,271 | $58,000 | 351,792 | 17 |
| 11 | Raleigh, NC | $59,864 | $39,000 | 458,880 | 27 |
| 12 | Nashville, TN | $52,284 | $35,000 | 660,388 | 74 |
| 13 | Los Angeles, CA | $71,428 | $46,000 | 3,976,322 | 108 |
| 14 | Long Beach, CA | $70,965 | $46,000 | 470,130 | 8 |
| 15 | Hialeah, FL | $57,809 | $37,000 | 236,387 | 5 |
| 16 | Fort Wayne, IN | $54,145 | $36,000 | 264,488 | 10 |
| 17 | Charlotte, NC | $56,723 | $37,000 | 842,051 | 72 |
| 18 | Sacramento, CA | $74,371 | $47,000 | 495,234 | 19 |
| 19 | Chicago, IL | $61,621 | $41,000 | 2,704,958 | 112 |
| 20 | Pittsburgh, PA | $60,893 | $39,000 | 303,625 | 18 |
| 21 | Kansas City, MO | $56,308 | $38,000 | 481,420 | 28 |
| 22 | San Francisco, CA | $75,757 | $47,000 | 870,887 | 63 |
| 23 | Chesapeake, VA | $60,511 | $39,000 | 237,940 | 6 |
| 24 | Winston-Salem, NC | $58,187 | $38,000 | 242,203 | 4 |
| 25 | Garland, TX | $56,867 | $38,000 | 234,943 | 2 |
| 26 | Cleveland, OH | $54,550 | $35,000 | 385,809 | 14 |
| 27 | Washington, DC | $69,347 | $45,000 | 681,170 | 175 |
| 28 | Fort Worth, TX | $57,110 | $38,000 | 854,113 | 15 |
| 29 | Wichita, KS | $55,110 | $37,000 | 389,902 | 9 |
| 30 | Austin, TX | $58,942 | $39,000 | 947,890 | 48 |
| 31 | Miami, FL | $57,860 | $37,000 | 453,579 | 43 |
| 32 | Newark, NJ | $71,940 | $47,000 | 281,764 | 4 |
| 33 | Seattle, WA | $66,827 | $43,000 | 704,352 | 57 |
| 34 | Saint Louis, MO | $56,844 | $38,000 | 311,404 | 33 |
| 35 | San Antonio, TX | $59,636 | $39,000 | 1,492,510 | 18 |
| 36 | Tucson, AZ | $52,036 | $34,000 | 530,706 | 31 |
| 37 | Jersey City, NJ | $71,987 | $47,000 | 264,152 | 7 |
| 38 | San Diego, CA | $69,368 | $45,000 | 1,406,630 | 68 |
| 39 | Columbus, OH | $52,632 | $34,000 | 860,090 | 42 |
| 40 | Durham, NC | $59,775 | $39,000 | 263,016 | 8 |
| 41 | Anaheim, CA | $70,804 | $46,000 | 351,043 | 4 |
| 42 | San Jose, CA | $75,670 | $47,000 | 1,025,350 | 23 |
| 43 | Omaha, NE | $49,666 | $34,000 | 446,970 | 49 |
| 44 | North Las Vegas, NV | $67,718 | $43,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 45 | Atlanta, GA | $54,809 | $36,000 | 472,522 | 116 |
| 46 | Glendale, AZ | $52,761 | $35,000 | 245,895 | 4 |
| 47 | Cincinnati, OH | $51,020 | $34,000 | 298,800 | 21 |
| 48 | Houston, TX | $59,273 | $39,000 | 2,303,482 | 57 |
| 49 | Fresno, CA | $74,439 | $47,000 | 522,053 | 2 |
| 50 | El Paso, TX | $58,900 | $39,000 | 683,080 | 3 |
Highest paying cities for executive chefs
| Rank | City | Avg. executive chef salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $75,757 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $69,553 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $69,347 |
| 4 | Las Vegas, NV | $67,885 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $66,827 |
| 6 | Baltimore, MD | $64,584 |
| 7 | Philadelphia, PA | $63,722 |
| 8 | Chicago, IL | $61,621 |
| 9 | New York, NY | $61,084 |
| 10 | Arlington, VA | $60,941 |
| 11 | Portland, ME | $60,732 |
| 12 | Houston, TX | $59,273 |
| 13 | Portland, OR | $59,011 |
| 14 | Miami, FL | $57,860 |
| 15 | Saint Louis, MO | $56,844 |
| 16 | Charlotte, NC | $56,723 |
| 17 | Kansas City, KS | $55,235 |
| 18 | Columbus, GA | $55,005 |
| 19 | Cleveland, OH | $54,550 |
| 20 | Colorado Springs, CO | $53,645 |
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Updated January 8, 2025