Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
Chefs and Head Cooks in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn a median of $61,400 a year ($29.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,870 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,730 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $62,470. Pay here is 3% higher than the Arizona statewide median of $59,890. There are 1.2 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $62,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,970 | $16.33 |
| 25th percentile | $39,650 | $19.06 |
| Median | $61,400 | $29.52 |
| 75th percentile | $75,400 | $36.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,730 | $46.99 |
| Average (mean) | $62,120 | $29.86 |
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 | $5,116.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,558.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,361.54 |
| Weekly | $1,180.77 |
| Hourly | $29.52 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff, AZ | $59,380 | 150 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $57,990 | 130 |
| Tucson, AZ | $49,990 | 580 |
| Yuma, AZ | $48,590 | 80 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | $38,470 | 80 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $37,570 | 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 Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $42,100 | $20.24 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,540 | $16.61 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $47,530 | $22.85 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $39,170 | $18.83 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $37,580 | $18.07 |
| Bartender | $46,940 | $22.57 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $36,960 | $17.77 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $35,080 | $16.87 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $33,190 | $15.96 |
| Dishwasher | $35,780 | $17.20 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $40,120 | $19.29 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $35,690 | $17.16 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $38,200 | $18.36 |
| Cooks, All Other | $46,960 | $22.58 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
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 Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area is $61,400 a year, or $29.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn at least $97,730 a year. The top 25% earn $75,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,970 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $39,650 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
About 2,870 chefs and head cooks are employed in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.