Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Gulfport-Biloxi, MS
Chefs and Head Cooks in the Gulfport-Biloxi, MS metro area earn a median of $51,240 a year ($24.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,880 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $62,470. Pay here is 7% lower than the Mississippi statewide median of $54,850. There are 1.5 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $55,630, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Gulfport-Biloxi, MS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,450 | $15.12 |
| 25th percentile | $39,990 | $19.23 |
| Median | $51,240 | $24.63 |
| 75th percentile | $68,180 | $32.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,880 | $39.85 |
| Average (mean) | $55,630 | $26.75 |
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 | $4,270 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,135 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,970.77 |
| Weekly | $985.38 |
| Hourly | $24.63 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $51,240 salary, see how much house you can afford in Mississippi at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $66,230 | 540 |
| Jackson, MS | $64,480 | 120 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $54,870 | 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 Mississippi statewide figures.
Related jobs in Gulfport-Biloxi, MS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,760 | $18.63 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $22,600 | $10.86 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $22,820 | $10.97 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $30,590 | $14.71 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $23,410 | $11.26 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $24,370 | $11.72 |
| Bartender | $26,660 | $12.82 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $29,080 | $13.98 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $25,060 | $12.05 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $22,700 | $10.91 |
| Dishwasher | $26,470 | $12.73 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $28,520 | $13.71 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $33,430 | $16.07 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $28,750 | $13.82 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Gulfport-Biloxi, MS
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 Gulfport-Biloxi, MS?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in the Gulfport-Biloxi, MS metro area is $51,240 a year, or $24.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Gulfport-Biloxi, MS?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in the Gulfport-Biloxi, MS metro area earn at least $82,880 a year. The top 25% earn $68,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Gulfport-Biloxi, MS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,450 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $39,990 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Gulfport-Biloxi, MS?
About 230 chefs and head cooks are employed in the Gulfport-Biloxi, MS metro area, not counting the self-employed.