Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Ann Arbor, MI
Chefs and Head Cooks in the Ann Arbor, MI metro area earn a median of $60,910 a year ($29.29 an hour), based on BLS data for 260 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,660 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $62,470. Pay here is 1% higher than the Michigan statewide median of $60,070. There are 1.2 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $64,590, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Ann Arbor, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,120 | $21.21 |
| 25th percentile | $49,320 | $23.71 |
| Median | $60,910 | $29.29 |
| 75th percentile | $75,430 | $36.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $93,660 | $45.03 |
| Average (mean) | $64,590 | $31.05 |
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 | $5,075.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,537.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,342.69 |
| Weekly | $1,171.35 |
| Hourly | $29.29 |
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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $63,050 | 150 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $61,890 | 610 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $60,870 | 2,660 |
| Midland, MI | $59,700 | 30 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $59,540 | 80 |
| Jackson, MI | $59,510 | 50 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $59,280 | 210 |
| Niles, MI | $58,570 | 120 |
| Flint, MI | $57,800 | 110 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $57,180 | 80 |
| Traverse City, MI | $57,000 | 130 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $56,580 | 70 |
| Saginaw, MI | $51,430 | 80 |
| Bay City, MI | $49,310 | 40 |
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 |
See Chefs and Head Cooks pay in every state or the Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ann Arbor, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $42,340 | $20.36 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $33,220 | $15.97 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $40,230 | $19.34 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,290 | $18.41 |
| Bartender | $38,300 | $18.41 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $40,250 | $19.35 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,100 | $16.39 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $34,830 | $16.74 |
| Dishwasher | $34,440 | $16.56 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $29,570 | $14.22 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,690 | $14.27 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,170 | $16.43 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $32,020 | $15.39 |
| Cooks, All Other | $39,540 | $19.01 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Ann Arbor, MI
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 Ann Arbor, MI?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in the Ann Arbor, MI metro area is $60,910 a year, or $29.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Ann Arbor, MI?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in the Ann Arbor, MI metro area earn at least $93,660 a year. The top 25% earn $75,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Ann Arbor, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,120 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $49,320 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Ann Arbor, MI?
About 260 chefs and head cooks are employed in the Ann Arbor, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.