Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Rhode Island
Chefs and Head Cooks in Rhode Island earn a median of $79,930 a year ($38.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 740 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,080 for the top 10%. That is 28% higher than the national median of $62,470. Rhode Island ranks 1st of 51 states for chefs and head cooks pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.5 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $84,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,680 | $27.25 |
| 25th percentile | $71,630 | $34.44 |
| Median | $79,930 | $38.43 |
| 75th percentile | $96,180 | $46.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,080 | $61.10 |
| Average (mean) | $84,860 | $40.80 |
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 | $6,660.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,330.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,074.23 |
| Weekly | $1,537.12 |
| Hourly | $38.43 |
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 Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $79,340 | 1,070 |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $48,400 | $23.27 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $31,490 | $15.14 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $35,420 | $17.03 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,510 | $17.55 |
| Bartender | $36,410 | $17.51 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,470 | $17.06 |
| Dishwasher | $33,960 | $16.33 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $35,230 | $16.94 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $46,570 | $22.39 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,860 | $16.76 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $46,250 | $22.24 |
| 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 Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in Rhode Island is $79,930 a year, or $38.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in Rhode Island earn at least $127,080 a year. The top 25% earn $96,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,680 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $71,630 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Rhode Island?
About 740 chefs and head cooks are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.