Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Indiana
In Indiana, the median pay for chefs and head cooks is $25.09 an hour ($52,190 a year). About 1,940 people work in this job there.
That is 16% lower than the U.S. median ($62,470). Indiana ranks 44th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Indiana
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $14.87 | $30,930 |
| 25% of workers | $18.80 | $39,110 |
| Half of workers (median) | $25.09 | $52,190 |
| 75% of workers | $31.25 | $64,990 |
| 90% of workers | $39.63 | $82,430 |
Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Indiana metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Terre Haute | $85,920 | 50 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka | $57,180 | 80 |
| Bloomington | $52,760 | 100 |
| Fort Wayne | $49,490 | 120 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood | $49,010 | 960 |
| Evansville | $46,480 | 90 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette | $40,300 | 60 |
| Muncie | $37,920 | 40 |
Indiana unemployment rate: 3.3% (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 Indiana
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $28,480 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,170 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $44,880 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,980 |
| Food Batchmakers | $39,700 |
| Food Service Managers | $71,430 |
| Bakers | $36,150 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $21,940 |
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.