Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Alaska
Chefs and Head Cooks in Alaska earn a median of $52,190 a year ($25.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 680 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,520 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $62,470. Alaska ranks 44th of 51 states for chefs and head cooks pay. There are 2.1 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $59,430, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Alaska
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,170 | $18.83 |
| 25th percentile | $41,390 | $19.90 |
| Median | $52,190 | $25.09 |
| 75th percentile | $73,120 | $35.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,520 | $44.00 |
| Average (mean) | $59,430 | $28.57 |
Half of chefs and head cooks earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,349.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,174.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,007.31 |
| Weekly | $1,003.65 |
| Hourly | $25.09 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary in cities in Alaska
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fairbanks-College, AK | $55,130 | 90 |
| Anchorage, AK | $49,190 | 280 |
Highest-paying states for chefs and head cooks
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $79,930 |
| Hawaii | $77,360 |
| District of Columbia | $76,420 |
| Washington | $76,010 |
| North Dakota | $74,740 |
| New Jersey | $74,280 |
| Wyoming | $73,170 |
| South Carolina | $71,860 |
| New York | $70,670 |
| Tennessee | $69,810 |
Related jobs in Alaska
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $46,570 | $22.39 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $33,280 | $16.00 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $26,310 | $12.65 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,720 | $17.17 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $40,140 | $19.30 |
| Bartender | $30,460 | $14.65 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $33,960 | $16.33 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $48,580 | $23.36 |
| Dishwasher | $33,890 | $16.29 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,040 | $13.00 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $30,210 | $14.52 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $38,090 | $18.31 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $37,780 | $18.16 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Alaska
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chefs and head cooks make in Alaska?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in Alaska is $52,190 a year, or $25.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Alaska?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in Alaska earn at least $91,520 a year. The top 25% earn $73,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Alaska?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,170 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $41,390 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Alaska?
About 680 chefs and head cooks are employed in Alaska, not counting the self-employed.