Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA
Chefs and Head Cooks in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area earn a median of $79,340 a year ($38.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,070 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,920 for the top 10%. That is 27% higher than the national median of $62,470. Pay here is 1% lower than the Rhode Island statewide median of $79,930. There are 1.5 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $79,440, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,340 | $23.72 |
| 25th percentile | $63,690 | $30.62 |
| Median | $79,340 | $38.15 |
| 75th percentile | $83,310 | $40.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $117,920 | $56.69 |
| Average (mean) | $79,440 | $38.19 |
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 | $6,611.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,305.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,051.54 |
| Weekly | $1,525.77 |
| Hourly | $38.15 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $72,470 | 4,430 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $67,700 | 260 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $66,450 | 150 |
| Worcester, MA | $64,620 | 560 |
| Springfield, MA | $64,000 | 300 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $61,580 | 180 |
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 Rhode Island statewide figures.
Related jobs in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $46,640 | $22.42 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $33,700 | $16.20 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $35,750 | $17.19 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,460 | $18.01 |
| Bartender | $35,680 | $17.15 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,250 | $17.43 |
| Dishwasher | $34,640 | $16.65 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $46,350 | $22.28 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,870 | $16.77 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $35,260 | $16.95 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $44,050 | $21.18 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $31,400 | $15.10 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA
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 Providence-Warwick, RI-MA?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area is $79,340 a year, or $38.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area earn at least $117,920 a year. The top 25% earn $83,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,340 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $63,690 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA?
About 1,070 chefs and head cooks are employed in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area, not counting the self-employed.