Head cook demographics and statistics in the US
Head cook demographics research summary. Zippia estimates head cook demographics and statistics in the United States by using a database of 30 million profiles. Our head cook 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 cooks after extensive research and analysis:
- There are over 20,014 head cooks currently employed in the United States.
- 36.5% of all head cooks are women, while 63.5% are men.
- The average head cook age is 42 years old.
- The most common ethnicity of head cooks is White (57.9%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (15.5%), Black or African American (10.4%) and Asian (10.3%).
- Head cooks are most in-demand in San Antonio, TX.
- The manufacturing industry is the highest-paying for head cooks.
- 9% of all head cooks are LGBT.
On this page
Head cook demographics by:
Head cook gender statistics
36.5% of head cooks are women and 63.5% of head cooks are men.
- Male, 63.5%
- Female, 36.5%
Head cook gender ratio
| Gender | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Male | 63.5% |
| Female | 36.5% |
Head cook gender pay gap
Women earn 93¢ for every $1 earned by men
Male income
$45,410
Female income
$42,086
Head cook gender ratio over time
This data breaks down the percentage of men and women in head cook positions over time. Currently, 36.5% of head cooks are female.
Head cook gender ratio by year
| Year | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 67.30% | 32.70% |
| 2011 | 68.07% | 31.93% |
| 2012 | 68.24% | 31.76% |
| 2013 | 68.46% | 31.54% |
| 2014 | 65.82% | 34.18% |
| 2015 | 68.22% | 31.78% |
| 2016 | 66.11% | 33.89% |
| 2017 | 66.67% | 33.33% |
| 2018 | 65.09% | 34.91% |
| 2019 | 66.65% | 33.35% |
| 2020 | 64.22% | 35.78% |
| 2021 | 63.50% | 36.50% |
Head cook related jobs gender ratio
We compared head cooks 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 Cook | 63% | 37% |
| 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 cook demographics by race
The most common ethnicity among head cooks is White, which makes up 57.9% of all head cooks. Comparatively, 15.5% of head cooks are Hispanic or Latino and 10.4% of head cooks are Black or African American.
- White, 57.9%
- Hispanic or Latino, 15.5%
- Black or African American, 10.4%
- Asian, 10.3%
- Unknown, 5.2%
- American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
Head cook race
| Head cook race | Percentages |
|---|---|
| White | 57.9% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 15.5% |
| Black or African American | 10.4% |
| Asian | 10.3% |
| Unknown | 5.2% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 0.7% |
Head cook race and ethnicity over time
See how head cook racial and ethnic diversity trended since 2010 according to the United States Census Bureau data.
Head cook race and ethnicity by year
| Year | White | Black or African American | Asian | Hispanic or Latino |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 64.10% | 11.95% | 7.57% | 13.66% |
| 2011 | 64.25% | 12.52% | 6.95% | 13.35% |
| 2012 | 64.26% | 11.36% | 7.00% | 14.05% |
| 2013 | 65.40% | 11.59% | 6.34% | 13.44% |
| 2014 | 64.04% | 11.18% | 7.42% | 14.10% |
| 2015 | 62.50% | 10.83% | 7.48% | 15.86% |
| 2016 | 64.01% | 10.83% | 7.10% | 14.44% |
| 2017 | 60.94% | 10.40% | 9.01% | 16.28% |
| 2018 | 62.55% | 10.69% | 6.81% | 16.89% |
| 2019 | 62.34% | 10.52% | 8.02% | 16.14% |
| 2020 | 59.17% | 9.79% | 8.37% | 16.87% |
| 2021 | 57.89% | 10.43% | 10.33% | 15.54% |
Head cook wage gap by race
According to our data, white head cooks have the highest average salary compared to other ethnicities. Asian head cooks have the lowest average salary at $44,189.
| Ethnicity | Salary |
|---|---|
| Unknown | $45,137 |
| White | $46,607 |
| Black or African American | $45,815 |
| Asian | $44,189 |
| Hispanic or Latino | $45,339 |
Average head cook age
See how the average age of head cooks varies based on ethnicity and gender.
Male
Female
Head cook 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 cook age breakdown
The average age of head cooks is 40+ years years old, representing 56% of the head cook population.
Head cook age breakdown
| Head Cook Years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| 40+ years | 56% |
| 30-40 years | 28% |
| 20-30 years | 15% |
Head cook educational attainment
The most common degree for head cooks is high school diploma, with 42% of head cooks earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 24% and associate degree degree at 15%.
- High School Diploma, 42%
- Associate, 24%
- Bachelor's, 15%
- Diploma, 12%
- Other Degrees, 7%
Head cooks by degree level
| Head cook degree | Percentages |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma | 42% |
| Associate | 24% |
| Bachelor's | 15% |
| Diploma | 12% |
| Other Degrees | 7% |
Head cook jobs you might like
Head cook wage gap by degree level
According to the data, head cooks with a Associate degree earn more than those without, at $48,105 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, head cooks earn a median annual income of $47,532 compared to $44,087 for head cooks with an High School Diploma degree.
| Education | Salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $44,087 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $47,532 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $48,105 |
Head cook employment statistics
Most head cooks work for a private in the hospitality industry.
Company size where head cooks work
Below, you can see the size of companies where head cooks work.
Head cook jobs by employer size
| Company size | Percentages |
|---|---|
| < 50 employees | 6% |
| 50 - 100 employees | 13% |
| 100 - 500 employees | 18% |
| 500 - 1,000 employees | 11% |
| 1,000 - 10,000 employees | 27% |
| > 10,000 employees | 25% |
Head cook jobs by company type
Employees with the head cook job title have their preferences when it comes to working for a company. For instance, most head cooks prefer to work at private companies over public companies.
Head cook jobs by sector
| Company type | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Education | 6% |
| Public | 19% |
| Private | 70% |
| Government | 4% |
Head cook jobs by industry
The most common industries for head cooks are hospitality, health care and retail.
Head cook industry statistics
| Industry | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Hospitality | 44% |
| Health Care | 9% |
| Retail | 7% |
| Manufacturing | 6% |
| Non Profits | 6% |
| Education | 6% |
| Government | 4% |
| Professional | 4% |
| Fortune 500 | 3% |
| Finance | 2% |
| Media | 2% |
| Technology | 2% |
| Transportation | 1% |
| Start-up | 1% |
| Real Estate | 1% |
| Construction | 1% |
Head cook turnover and employment statistics
Head cook unemployment rate over time
The unemployment rate for head cooks between 2008 and the most recent data has varied, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Head cook unemployment rate by year
| Year | Head cook 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 cook tenure
The average head cook stays at their job for 1-2 years, based on the 16,578 head cooks resumes in Zippia's database.
Head cook tenure statistics
| Number of years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | 22% |
| 1-2 years | 36% |
| 3-4 years | 16% |
| 5-7 years | 14% |
| 8-10 years | 4% |
| 11+ years | 8% |
Head cook LGBT ratio compared to similar jobs
Review the percent of head cooks 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Deli Worker | 6.78% | 37,658 |
| Cook And Waitress/Waiter | 7.02% | 268,608 |
| Party Hostess | 7.29% | 9,255 |
| Co-Worker | 7.36% | 26,794 |
| Bartender Server | 7.68% | 106,784 |
| Assistant Bar Manager | 8.43% | 93,659 |
| Head Cook | 8.58% | - |
Similar head cook jobs LGBT demographics
| Profession | Percentages of LGBT | Job openings |
|---|---|---|
| Deli Worker | 6.78% | 37,658 |
| Cook And Waitress/Waiter | 7.02% | 268,608 |
| Party Hostess | 7.29% | 9,255 |
| Co-Worker | 7.36% | 26,794 |
| Bartender Server | 7.68% | 106,784 |
| Assistant Bar Manager | 8.43% | 93,659 |
Foreign languages spoken by head cooks
The most common foreign language among head cooks is Spanish at 65.4%. The second-most popular foreign language spoken is French at 7.1% and Italian is the third-most popular at 5.2%.
- Spanish, 65.4%
- French, 7.1%
- Italian, 5.2%
- German, 4.1%
- Greek, 2.6%
- Other, 15.6%
Head cook languages spoken
| Foreign language | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Spanish | 65.4% |
| French | 7.1% |
| Italian | 5.2% |
| German | 4.1% |
| Greek | 2.6% |
| Other | 15.6% |
