Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Oregon
Chefs and Head Cooks in Oregon earn a median of $63,600 a year ($30.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,510 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,180 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $62,470. Oregon ranks 19th of 51 states for chefs and head cooks pay. There are 1.3 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $67,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Oregon
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,910 | $22.07 |
| 25th percentile | $53,660 | $25.80 |
| Median | $63,600 | $30.58 |
| 75th percentile | $77,420 | $37.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,180 | $45.76 |
| Average (mean) | $67,510 | $32.46 |
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 | $5,300 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,650 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,446.15 |
| Weekly | $1,223.08 |
| Hourly | $30.58 |
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 Oregon
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $65,690 | 1,580 |
| Medford, OR | $64,700 | 120 |
| Salem, OR | $63,750 | 210 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $62,960 | 230 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Oregon
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $46,950 | $22.57 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $35,050 | $16.85 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $48,410 | $23.27 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $43,100 | $20.72 |
| Bartender | $38,900 | $18.70 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $37,450 | $18.00 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $44,520 | $21.40 |
| Dishwasher | $36,040 | $17.33 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $40,720 | $19.58 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $36,620 | $17.61 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $37,880 | $18.21 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $36,800 | $17.69 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $38,550 | $18.54 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $39,080 | $18.79 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Oregon
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 Oregon?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in Oregon is $63,600 a year, or $30.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Oregon?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in Oregon earn at least $95,180 a year. The top 25% earn $77,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Oregon?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,910 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $53,660 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Oregon?
About 2,510 chefs and head cooks are employed in Oregon, not counting the self-employed.