Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Connecticut
Chefs and Head Cooks in Connecticut earn a median of $64,310 a year ($30.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,080 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,870 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $62,470. Connecticut ranks 17th of 51 states for chefs and head cooks pay. There are 1.8 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $69,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Connecticut
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,530 | $21.41 |
| 25th percentile | $51,160 | $24.59 |
| Median | $64,310 | $30.92 |
| 75th percentile | $77,800 | $37.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,870 | $48.02 |
| Average (mean) | $69,680 | $33.50 |
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 | $5,359.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,679.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,473.46 |
| Weekly | $1,236.73 |
| Hourly | $30.92 |
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 Connecticut
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $66,930 | 760 |
| New Haven, CT | $66,700 | 460 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $62,820 | 1,110 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | $62,220 | 330 |
| Waterbury-Shelton, CT | $59,080 | 270 |
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 Connecticut
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $52,940 | $25.45 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $35,380 | $17.01 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $37,770 | $18.16 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $39,480 | $18.98 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,650 | $17.62 |
| Bartender | $38,780 | $18.64 |
| Dishwasher | $35,550 | $17.09 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $34,540 | $16.61 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $35,950 | $17.29 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $46,120 | $22.17 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $34,210 | $16.45 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $34,980 | $16.82 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $36,320 | $17.46 |
| Cooks, All Other | $37,190 | $17.88 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Connecticut
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 Connecticut?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in Connecticut is $64,310 a year, or $30.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,870 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Connecticut?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in Connecticut earn at least $99,870 a year. The top 25% earn $77,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Connecticut?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,530 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $51,160 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Connecticut?
About 3,080 chefs and head cooks are employed in Connecticut, not counting the self-employed.