Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler
In Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler (AZ), the median pay for chefs and head cooks is $29.52 an hour ($61,400 a year). About 2,870 people work in this job there.
That is 2% lower than the U.S. median ($62,470). It is 3% higher than the Arizona median ($59,890).
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler (AZ)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $16.33 | $33,970 |
| 25% of workers | $19.06 | $39,650 |
| Half of workers (median) | $29.52 | $61,400 |
| 75% of workers | $36.25 | $75,400 |
| 90% of workers | $46.99 | $97,730 |
Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Arizona metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler (this page) | $61,400 | 2,870 |
| Flagstaff | $59,380 | 150 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott | $57,990 | 130 |
| Tucson | $49,990 | 580 |
| Yuma | $48,590 | 80 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman | $38,470 | 80 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas | $37,570 | 40 |
Arizona unemployment rate: 4.9% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for chefs and head cooks
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
- Experience usually needed to start: 5 years or more (BLS)
- Job outlook: +6.6% over ten years, faster than average · about 25,200 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler (AZ)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $47,530 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $39,170 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $42,100 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $40,120 |
| Bakers | $37,800 |
| Food Service Managers | $70,180 |
| Food Batchmakers | $40,550 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.