Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Eugene-Springfield, OR
Chefs and Head Cooks in the Eugene-Springfield, OR metro area earn a median of $62,960 a year ($30.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,450 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $62,470. Pay here is 1% lower than the Oregon statewide median of $63,600. There are 1.4 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $64,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Eugene-Springfield, OR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,910 | $22.07 |
| 25th percentile | $48,400 | $23.27 |
| Median | $62,960 | $30.27 |
| 75th percentile | $73,000 | $35.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,450 | $41.56 |
| Average (mean) | $64,060 | $30.80 |
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 | $5,246.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,623.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,421.54 |
| Weekly | $1,210.77 |
| Hourly | $30.27 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $65,690 | 1,580 |
| Medford, OR | $64,700 | 120 |
| Salem, OR | $63,750 | 210 |
| Bend, OR | $62,110 | 180 |
| Corvallis, OR | $58,240 | 90 |
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 Oregon statewide figures.
Related jobs in Eugene-Springfield, OR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $42,900 | $20.63 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $33,990 | $16.34 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $42,930 | $20.64 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,960 | $18.25 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,160 | $17.38 |
| Bartender | $39,580 | $19.03 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $43,820 | $21.07 |
| Dishwasher | $33,850 | $16.27 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,450 | $16.56 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $38,120 | $18.33 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $35,550 | $17.09 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $35,780 | $17.20 |
| Cooks, All Other | $39,290 | $18.89 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Eugene-Springfield, OR
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 Eugene-Springfield, OR?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in the Eugene-Springfield, OR metro area is $62,960 a year, or $30.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Eugene-Springfield, OR?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in the Eugene-Springfield, OR metro area earn at least $86,450 a year. The top 25% earn $73,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Eugene-Springfield, OR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,910 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $48,400 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Eugene-Springfield, OR?
About 230 chefs and head cooks are employed in the Eugene-Springfield, OR metro area, not counting the self-employed.