Head Chef Demographics and Statistics In The US
Research Summary. Using a database of 30 million profiles, Zippia estimates demographics and statistics for head chefs in the United States. Our estimates are verified against BLS, Census, and current job openings data for accuracy. After extensive research and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
- 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 age of an employed head chef 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.
Head Chef Statistics By Gender
20.2% of head chefs are women and 79.8% of head chefs are men.
- Male, 79.8%
- Female, 20.2%
Head Chefs By Gender
| Gender | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Male | 79.8% |
| Female | 20.2% |
Gender Pay Gap For Head Chef
Women Earn 90ยข For Every $1 Earned By Men
Head Chef Gender Over Time
This data shows how men and women predominate in the head chef position over time.
Head Chef Gender 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 Male to Female Ratio
We compared this job title with other job titles to see how gender percentages varied. As you can see, corporate executive chef and chef de cuisine have the biggest difference in gender.
| 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% |
Head Chef Statistics By Race
The most common ethnicity among head chefs is White, which makes up 56.1% of all head chefs. Comparatively, there are 16.8% of the Hispanic or Latino ethnicity and 11.2% of the Asian ethnicity.
- 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
Using the Census Bureau data, we found out how the percentage of each ethnic category trended between 2010-2019 among head chefs.
- White
- Asian
- Hispanic or Latino
- Black or African American
Head Chef Race 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
| Ethnicity | Salary |
|---|---|
| Unknown | $46,510 |
| White | $48,638 |
| Black or African American | $47,488 |
| Asian | $45,152 |
| Hispanic or Latino | $46,801 |
Head Chef JOBS
Average Age of a Head Chef
We determined the average age of head chefs based on ethnicity and gender.
Head Chef Age By Race
| 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
This chart breaks down the ages of head chef employees. Interestingly enough, the average age of head chefs is 40+ years old, which represents 56% of the population.
Head Chef Age
| Head Chef Years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| 40+ years | 56% |
| 30-40 years | 28% |
| 20-30 years | 15% |
Types of Head Chef Degree Levels
The most common degree for head chefs is associate degree 43% of head chefs earn that degree. A close second is bachelor's degree with 24% and rounding it off is high school diploma with 20%.
- Associate, 43%
- Bachelors, 24%
- High School Diploma, 20%
- Diploma, 8%
- Other Degrees, 5%
Head Chefs By Education
| Head Chef Degree | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Associate | 43% |
| Bachelors | 24% |
| High School Diploma | 20% |
| Diploma | 8% |
| Other Degrees | 5% |
Head Chef Jobs You Might Like
Head Chef Wage Gap By Education
| Education | Salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $45,008 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $49,989 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $50,832 |
Head Chef Employment Statistics
This section highlights information about where head chefs work. We found most head chefs work for a private company. In addition, the industry that employs the most head chefs is the hospitality industry.
Company Size
We created this chart to show you the average size of companies that typically hire head chefs.
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% |
The Types Of Companies Head Chef Work In
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% |
Top Industries Hiring Head Chefs
Just based on the number of employees within each industry, we were able to determine the most common industries that employ head chefs. Those industries include 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 Bureau of Labor Statistics came in clutch when it came down to figuring out how the unemployment rate has changed over time. Between 2008 and 2018, this is how the number of head chefs changed.
- Unemployment rate
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% |
The Average Number of Years That Head Chef Stay in a Job
By looking over 9,265 head chefs resumes, we figured out that the average head chef enjoys staying at their job for 1-2 years for a percentage of 37%.
Head Chef Tenure
| Number or 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% |
Comparing The LGBT Ratio of Head Chefs with Other Job Titles
After finding the gender ratio, we wondered if the percentages of LGBT persons were different as well. Using the data below, you can see how other job titles compare to head chefs.
| 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% | - |
Head Chef 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% |
Head Chef Jobs
Recently Added Head Chef Jobs
Head Chef Heatmaps
The amount you can make as a head chef can depend on where you live. For example, the highest salary of head chefs is $53,110. Use our chart to find out where that salary is located.
Where Do Head Chefs Earn The Most?
Head chefs earn the most in Hawaii, where the average head chef salary is $69,678. The map here shows where head chefs earn the highest salaries in the U.S. The darker areas across the 50 states highlight the highest salaries.
Which State Has The Most Head Chefs?
By looking through more than 9,265 resumes, we found that the most popular places for head chefs are New York, NY and Chicago, IL.
Number Of Head Chef Jobs By State
| Rank | State | Number of Jobs | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 796 | $53,633 |
| 2 | Texas | 658 | $49,525 |
| 3 | New York | 587 | $52,343 |
| 4 | Florida | 506 | $44,178 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 325 | $56,283 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | 300 | $46,760 |
| 7 | Georgia | 295 | $39,524 |
| 8 | North Carolina | 279 | $42,447 |
| 9 | Virginia | 262 | $44,945 |
| 10 | Illinois | 258 | $51,230 |
| 11 | Ohio | 226 | $42,126 |
| 12 | Tennessee | 225 | $32,291 |
| 13 | Arizona | 218 | $38,253 |
| 14 | Colorado | 207 | $40,891 |
| 15 | Washington | 184 | $52,995 |
| 16 | Michigan | 183 | $47,146 |
| 17 | New Jersey | 181 | $68,904 |
| 18 | Indiana | 152 | $44,480 |
| 19 | Minnesota | 149 | $43,850 |
| 20 | Maryland | 140 | $47,538 |
| 21 | Missouri | 137 | $39,371 |
| 22 | South Carolina | 136 | $32,267 |
| 23 | Utah | 121 | $31,743 |
| 24 | Connecticut | 115 | $42,728 |
| 25 | Oregon | 97 | $45,122 |
| 26 | Wisconsin | 94 | $36,608 |
| 27 | Nevada | 76 | $54,225 |
| 28 | New Hampshire | 73 | $47,060 |
| 29 | Kentucky | 73 | $39,727 |
| 30 | Iowa | 71 | $36,593 |
| 31 | District of Columbia | 70 | $53,280 |
| 32 | Alabama | 63 | $41,651 |
| 33 | Mississippi | 61 | $39,202 |
| 34 | Montana | 58 | $35,154 |
| 35 | Alaska | 56 | $50,198 |
| 36 | Louisiana | 56 | $37,594 |
| 37 | Oklahoma | 55 | $38,718 |
| 38 | Rhode Island | 50 | $55,352 |
| 39 | Kansas | 41 | $32,304 |
| 40 | Maine | 37 | $45,538 |
| 41 | Delaware | 34 | $44,833 |
| 42 | New Mexico | 31 | $39,922 |
| 43 | Idaho | 31 | $27,807 |
| 44 | Arkansas | 27 | $34,736 |
| 45 | Nebraska | 26 | $37,122 |
| 46 | Wyoming | 20 | $43,049 |
| 47 | Hawaii | 16 | $69,678 |
| 48 | North Dakota | 15 | $39,323 |
| 49 | South Dakota | 15 | $38,630 |
| 50 | West Virginia | 15 | $37,950 |
| 51 | Vermont | 14 | $36,628 |
Where Are Head Chefs In High Demand?
Head chefs are in high demand in Washington, DC. There are currently 6 job openings for head chefs here. We looked over job openings to determine where in the country head chefs are in the most demand.
