Head chef demographics and statistics in the US
Head chef demographics research summary. Zippia estimates head chef demographics and statistics in the United States by using a database of 30 million profiles. Our head chef estimates are verified against BLS, Census, and current job openings data for accuracy. Zippia's data science team found the following key facts about head chefs after extensive research and analysis:
- There are over 113,811 head chefs currently employed in the United States.
- 20.2% of all head chefs are women, while 79.8% are men.
- The average head chef age is 42 years old.
- The most common ethnicity of head chefs is White (56.1%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (16.8%), Asian (11.2%) and Black or African American (9.8%).
- Head chefs are most in-demand in Washington, DC.
- The health care industry is the highest-paying for head chefs.
- 9% of all head chefs are LGBT.
On this page
Head chef demographics by:
Head chef gender statistics
20.2% of head chefs are women and 79.8% of head chefs are men.
- Male, 79.8%
- Female, 20.2%
Head chef gender ratio
| Gender | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Male | 79.8% |
| Female | 20.2% |
Head chef gender pay gap
Women earn 90¢ for every $1 earned by men
Male income
$46,904
Female income
$42,183
Head chef gender ratio over time
This data breaks down the percentage of men and women in head chef positions over time. Currently, 20.2% of head chefs are female.
Head chef gender ratio by year
| Year | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 82.40% | 17.60% |
| 2011 | 82.90% | 17.10% |
| 2012 | 83.02% | 16.98% |
| 2013 | 83.16% | 16.84% |
| 2014 | 81.42% | 18.58% |
| 2015 | 83.00% | 17.00% |
| 2016 | 81.61% | 18.39% |
| 2017 | 81.99% | 18.01% |
| 2018 | 80.92% | 19.08% |
| 2019 | 81.97% | 18.03% |
| 2020 | 80.32% | 19.68% |
| 2021 | 79.83% | 20.17% |
Head chef related jobs gender ratio
We compared head chefs with similar job titles to see how gender ratios vary. As you can see, corporate executive chef and chef de cuisine have the biggest gender ratio gaps.
| Job title | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Lunchroom Monitor | 5% | 95% |
| Waiter/Waitress, Captain | 13% | 87% |
| Lunchroom Supervisor | 13% | 87% |
| Head Chef | 80% | 20% |
| Executive Chef | 88% | 12% |
| Chef De Cuisine | 90% | 10% |
| Corporate Executive Chef | 91% | 9% |
Male
Female
100%
75%
50%
25%
0%
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
Head chef demographics by race
The most common ethnicity among head chefs is White, which makes up 56.1% of all head chefs. Comparatively, 16.8% of head chefs are Hispanic or Latino and 11.2% of head chefs are Asian.
- White, 56.1%
- Hispanic or Latino, 16.8%
- Asian, 11.2%
- Black or African American, 9.8%
- Unknown, 5.4%
- American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
Head chef race
| Head chef race | Percentages |
|---|---|
| White | 56.1% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 16.8% |
| Asian | 11.2% |
| Black or African American | 9.8% |
| Unknown | 5.4% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 0.7% |
Head chef race and ethnicity over time
See how head chef racial and ethnic diversity trended since 2010 according to the United States Census Bureau data.
Head chef race and ethnicity by year
| Year | White | Black or African American | Asian | Hispanic or Latino |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 62.27% | 11.31% | 8.40% | 14.88% |
| 2011 | 62.43% | 11.88% | 7.78% | 14.58% |
| 2012 | 62.44% | 10.72% | 7.84% | 15.28% |
| 2013 | 63.57% | 10.94% | 7.17% | 14.66% |
| 2014 | 62.22% | 10.54% | 8.26% | 15.33% |
| 2015 | 60.68% | 10.18% | 8.32% | 17.09% |
| 2016 | 62.18% | 10.19% | 7.93% | 15.66% |
| 2017 | 59.12% | 9.75% | 9.84% | 17.51% |
| 2018 | 60.73% | 10.05% | 7.64% | 18.12% |
| 2019 | 60.51% | 9.88% | 8.85% | 17.37% |
| 2020 | 57.35% | 9.15% | 9.20% | 18.10% |
| 2021 | 56.06% | 9.78% | 11.16% | 16.76% |
Head chef wage gap by race
According to our data, white head chefs have the highest average salary compared to other ethnicities. Asian head chefs have the lowest average salary at $45,152.
| Ethnicity | Salary |
|---|---|
| Unknown | $46,510 |
| White | $48,638 |
| Black or African American | $47,488 |
| Asian | $45,152 |
| Hispanic or Latino | $46,801 |
Average head chef age
See how the average age of head chefs varies based on ethnicity and gender.
Male
Female
Head chef age by race and gender
| Race | Male age | Female age |
|---|---|---|
| Black or African American | 43 | 46.5 |
| Unknown | 38 | 36.5 |
| Asian | 44 | 49 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 40 | 43 |
| White | 40 | 41 |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 40 |
Head chef age breakdown
The average age of head chefs is 40+ years years old, representing 56% of the head chef population.
Head chef age breakdown
| Head Chef Years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| 40+ years | 56% |
| 30-40 years | 28% |
| 20-30 years | 15% |
Head chef educational attainment
The most common degree for head chefs is associate degree, with 43% of head chefs earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 24% and bachelor's degree degree at 20%.
- Associate, 43%
- Bachelor's, 24%
- High School Diploma, 20%
- Diploma, 8%
- Other Degrees, 5%
Head chefs by degree level
| Head chef degree | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Associate | 43% |
| Bachelor's | 24% |
| High School Diploma | 20% |
| Diploma | 8% |
| Other Degrees | 5% |
Head chef jobs you might like
Head chef wage gap by degree level
According to the data, head chefs with a Associate degree earn more than those without, at $50,832 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, head chefs earn a median annual income of $49,989 compared to $45,008 for head chefs with an High School Diploma degree.
| Education | Salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $45,008 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $49,989 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $50,832 |
Head chef employment statistics
Most head chefs work for a private in the hospitality industry.
Company size where head chefs work
Below, you can see the size of companies where head chefs work.
Head chef jobs by employer size
| Company size | Percentages |
|---|---|
| < 50 employees | 8% |
| 50 - 100 employees | 18% |
| 100 - 500 employees | 20% |
| 500 - 1,000 employees | 8% |
| 1,000 - 10,000 employees | 22% |
| > 10,000 employees | 24% |
Head chef jobs by company type
Employees with the head chef job title have their preferences when it comes to working for a company. For instance, most head chefs prefer to work at private companies over public companies.
Head chef jobs by sector
| Company type | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Education | 6% |
| Public | 17% |
| Private | 75% |
| Government | 2% |
Head chef jobs by industry
The most common industries for head chefs are hospitality, health care and retail.
Head chef industry statistics
| Industry | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Hospitality | 41% |
| Health Care | 9% |
| Retail | 8% |
| Manufacturing | 7% |
| Non Profits | 5% |
| Education | 5% |
| Fortune 500 | 4% |
| Start-up | 3% |
| Professional | 3% |
| Technology | 3% |
| Government | 2% |
| Internet | 2% |
| Media | 2% |
| Agriculture | 1% |
| Transportation | 1% |
| Finance | 1% |
| Real Estate | 1% |
| Construction | 1% |
Head chef turnover and employment statistics
Head chef unemployment rate over time
The unemployment rate for head chefs between 2008 and the most recent data has varied, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Head chef unemployment rate by year
| Year | Head chef unemployment rate |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 9.68% |
| 2011 | 10.91% |
| 2012 | 6.88% |
| 2013 | 7.77% |
| 2014 | 5.16% |
| 2015 | 5.14% |
| 2016 | 4.13% |
| 2017 | 3.91% |
| 2018 | 3.66% |
| 2019 | 3.42% |
| 2020 | 10.00% |
| 2021 | 11.33% |
Average head chef tenure
The average head chef stays at their job for 1-2 years, based on the 9,265 head chefs resumes in Zippia's database.
Head chef tenure statistics
| Number of years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | 23% |
| 1-2 years | 37% |
| 3-4 years | 16% |
| 5-7 years | 13% |
| 8-10 years | 4% |
| 11+ years | 7% |
Head chef LGBT ratio compared to similar jobs
Review the percent of head chefs that are members of the LGBT community. You can see how this compares to similar jobs in the chart below.
| Job title | LGBT | Job openings |
|---|---|---|
| Food Service Associate | 6.78% | 64,167 |
| Bartender, Cook, And Waitress | 7.02% | 162,319 |
| Event Host | 7.29% | 15,092 |
| Deli Associate | 7.36% | 117,130 |
| Bartender Manager | 7.68% | 96,408 |
| Snack Bar Manager | 8.43% | 55,985 |
| Head Chef | 8.58% | - |
Similar head chef jobs LGBT demographics
| Profession | Percentages of LGBT | Job openings |
|---|---|---|
| Food Service Associate | 6.78% | 64,167 |
| Bartender, Cook, And Waitress | 7.02% | 162,319 |
| Event Host | 7.29% | 15,092 |
| Deli Associate | 7.36% | 117,130 |
| Bartender Manager | 7.68% | 96,408 |
| Snack Bar Manager | 8.43% | 55,985 |
Foreign languages spoken by head chefs
The most common foreign language among head chefs is Spanish at 39.4%. The second-most popular foreign language spoken is French at 15.4% and Italian is the third-most popular at 13.8%.
- Spanish, 39.4%
- French, 15.4%
- Italian, 13.8%
- Thai, 4.5%
- Japanese, 4.5%
- Other, 22.4%
Head chef languages spoken
| Foreign language | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Spanish | 39.4% |
| French | 15.4% |
| Italian | 13.8% |
| Thai | 4.5% |
| Japanese | 4.5% |
| Other | 22.4% |
