Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Maryland
Chefs and Head Cooks in Maryland earn a median of $61,590 a year ($29.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,220 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,330 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $62,470. Maryland ranks 26th of 51 states for chefs and head cooks pay. There are 1.2 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $65,930, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Maryland
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,310 | $18.42 |
| 25th percentile | $45,030 | $21.65 |
| Median | $61,590 | $29.61 |
| 75th percentile | $78,590 | $37.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,330 | $48.23 |
| Average (mean) | $65,930 | $31.70 |
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 | $5,132.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,566.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,368.85 |
| Weekly | $1,184.42 |
| Hourly | $29.61 |
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 Maryland
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $74,900 | 4,680 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $65,680 | 5,700 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $59,510 | 40 |
| Salisbury, MD | $59,470 | 50 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $59,290 | 1,740 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $58,820 | 80 |
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 Maryland
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $42,450 | $20.41 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $33,660 | $16.18 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,750 | $17.67 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,820 | $18.19 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,500 | $17.07 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $37,020 | $17.80 |
| Bartender | $37,580 | $18.07 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $33,320 | $16.02 |
| Dishwasher | $34,030 | $16.36 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $34,860 | $16.76 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $36,650 | $17.62 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $37,500 | $18.03 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $41,380 | $19.89 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $36,800 | $17.69 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Maryland
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 Maryland?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in Maryland is $61,590 a year, or $29.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Maryland?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in Maryland earn at least $100,330 a year. The top 25% earn $78,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Maryland?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,310 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $45,030 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Maryland?
About 3,220 chefs and head cooks are employed in Maryland, not counting the self-employed.