Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Arizona
Chefs and Head Cooks in Arizona earn a median of $59,890 a year ($28.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,080 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,240 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $62,470. Arizona ranks 33rd of 51 states for chefs and head cooks pay. There are 1.3 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $60,330, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Arizona
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,970 | $16.33 |
| 25th percentile | $38,480 | $18.50 |
| Median | $59,890 | $28.79 |
| 75th percentile | $74,990 | $36.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,240 | $45.79 |
| Average (mean) | $60,330 | $29.01 |
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 | $4,990.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,495.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,303.46 |
| Weekly | $1,151.73 |
| Hourly | $28.79 |
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 Arizona
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $61,400 | 2,870 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $59,380 | 150 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $57,990 | 130 |
| Tucson, AZ | $49,990 | 580 |
| Yuma, AZ | $48,590 | 80 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | $38,470 | 80 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $37,570 | 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 |
Related jobs in Arizona
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $40,550 | $19.49 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,230 | $16.46 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $43,950 | $21.13 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,670 | $18.59 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,750 | $17.67 |
| Bartender | $45,070 | $21.67 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $36,500 | $17.55 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $32,660 | $15.70 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $34,740 | $16.70 |
| Dishwasher | $35,130 | $16.89 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $39,660 | $19.07 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $35,390 | $17.01 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $46,630 | $22.42 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $37,600 | $18.08 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Arizona
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 Arizona?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in Arizona is $59,890 a year, or $28.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Arizona?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in Arizona earn at least $95,240 a year. The top 25% earn $74,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Arizona?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,970 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $38,480 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Arizona?
About 4,080 chefs and head cooks are employed in Arizona, not counting the self-employed.