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Job outlook for head cooks in the United States
Head cook job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected head cook job growth rate is 15% from 2018-2028.
About 23,600 new jobs for head cooks are projected over the next decade.
Head cook salaries have increased 24% for head cooks in the last 5 years.
There are over 20,014 head cooks currently employed in the United States.
There are 156,227 active head cook job openings in the US.
The average head cook salary is $44,412.
Are head cook jobs in demand?
Yes, head cook jobs are in demand. Head cook demand is projected to grow 15% from 2018 to 2028.
Head cook job and salary trends over time
Compare the number of head cook jobs and the average head cook salary over time.
Head cook jobs over time
Head cook job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 20,014 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 17,367 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 21,939 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 21,370 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 20,925 | 0.01% |
Average head cook salary over time
Head cook salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $44,412 | $21.35 | +3.6% |
| 2025 | $42,872 | $20.61 | +6.3% |
| 2024 | $40,318 | $19.38 | +5.5% |
| 2023 | $38,230 | $18.38 | +6.4% |
| 2022 | $35,925 | $17.27 | +4.0% |
Head cook jobs by state
The map below shows you the number of head cook job openings in each state. The darker areas on the map show where head cooks earn the highest salaries across all 50 states.
Average salary: Job openings:
Most common states for head cooks
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 1,671 | 25% |
| 2 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 695 | 24% |
| 3 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 1,400 | 23% |
| 4 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 890 | 23% |
| 5 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 681 | 23% |
| 6 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,469 | 22% |
| 7 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,189 | 21% |
| 8 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 942 | 21% |
| 9 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 984 | 20% |
| 10 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 618 | 20% |
| 11 | Mississippi | 2,984,100 | 605 | 20% |
| 12 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 4,063 | 19% |
| 13 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,977 | 19% |
| 14 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 1,309 | 19% |
| 15 | Louisiana | 4,684,333 | 872 | 19% |
| 16 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 197 | 19% |
| 17 | Texas | 28,304,596 | 5,199 | 18% |
| 18 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,841 | 18% |
| 19 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 375 | 18% |
| 20 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 2,011 | 17% |
Most common cities for head cooks
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harrisburg | 2 | 4% | $49,647 |
| 2 | Alvin | 1 | 4% | $56,828 |
| 3 | Anderson | 1 | 4% | $39,391 |
| 4 | Aventura | 1 | 3% | $40,537 |
| 5 | Bedford | 1 | 2% | $54,665 |
| 6 | Toledo | 3 | 1% | $40,670 |
| 7 | Baton Rouge | 2 | 1% | $37,771 |
| 8 | McKinney | 2 | 1% | $54,242 |
| 9 | Salem | 2 | 1% | $45,255 |
| 10 | Arlington Heights | 1 | 1% | $44,433 |
| 11 | Beaverton | 1 | 1% | $45,129 |
| 12 | New York | 5 | 0% | $46,875 |
| 13 | Long Beach | 2 | 0% | $51,051 |
| 14 | Los Angeles | 2 | 0% | $51,170 |
| 15 | Phoenix | 2 | 0% | $43,035 |
| 16 | San Antonio | 2 | 0% | $57,577 |