Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Vermont
Chefs and Head Cooks in Vermont earn a median of $65,440 a year ($31.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 610 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,040 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $62,470. Vermont ranks 13th of 51 states for chefs and head cooks pay. There are 2.0 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $68,130, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Vermont
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,950 | $23.53 |
| 25th percentile | $56,770 | $27.29 |
| Median | $65,440 | $31.46 |
| 75th percentile | $77,360 | $37.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,040 | $39.92 |
| Average (mean) | $68,130 | $32.76 |
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 | $5,453.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,726.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,516.92 |
| Weekly | $1,258.46 |
| Hourly | $31.46 |
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 Vermont
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $69,920 | 200 |
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 Vermont
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $49,820 | $23.95 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $36,030 | $17.32 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $59,140 | $28.43 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $45,390 | $21.82 |
| Bartender | $45,450 | $21.85 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,550 | $17.57 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $46,370 | $22.29 |
| Dishwasher | $36,010 | $17.31 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $31,080 | $14.94 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $37,540 | $18.05 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $38,830 | $18.67 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $38,230 | $18.38 |
| Cooks, All Other | $41,250 | $19.83 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $32,420 | $15.59 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Vermont
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 Vermont?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in Vermont is $65,440 a year, or $31.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Vermont?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in Vermont earn at least $83,040 a year. The top 25% earn $77,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Vermont?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,950 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $56,770 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Vermont?
About 610 chefs and head cooks are employed in Vermont, not counting the self-employed.