Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Maine
Chefs and Head Cooks in Maine earn a median of $57,010 a year ($27.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,250 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,120 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $62,470. Maine ranks 40th of 51 states for chefs and head cooks pay. There are 2.0 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $61,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Maine
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,430 | $23.28 |
| 25th percentile | $55,070 | $26.48 |
| Median | $57,010 | $27.41 |
| 75th percentile | $63,060 | $30.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,120 | $39.00 |
| Average (mean) | $61,540 | $29.59 |
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 | $4,750.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,375.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,192.69 |
| Weekly | $1,096.35 |
| Hourly | $27.41 |
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 Maine
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-South Portland, ME | $57,380 | 780 |
| Lewiston-Auburn, ME | $56,440 | 60 |
| Bangor, ME | $54,990 | 120 |
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 Maine
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $47,990 | $23.07 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,710 | $16.69 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $43,370 | $20.85 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $45,290 | $21.78 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,030 | $17.32 |
| Bartender | $48,920 | $23.52 |
| Dishwasher | $35,620 | $17.13 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $43,490 | $20.91 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $38,560 | $18.54 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $36,350 | $17.48 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $36,800 | $17.69 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $35,360 | $17.00 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $37,680 | $18.11 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Maine
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 Maine?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in Maine is $57,010 a year, or $27.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Maine?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in Maine earn at least $81,120 a year. The top 25% earn $63,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Maine?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,430 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $55,070 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Maine?
About 1,250 chefs and head cooks are employed in Maine, not counting the self-employed.