Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Maine
In Maine, the median pay for chefs and head cooks is $27.41 an hour ($57,010 a year). About 1,250 people work in this job there.
That is 9% lower than the U.S. median ($62,470). Maine ranks 40th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Maine
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $23.28 | $48,430 |
| 25% of workers | $26.48 | $55,070 |
| Half of workers (median) | $27.41 | $57,010 |
| 75% of workers | $30.32 | $63,060 |
| 90% of workers | $39.00 | $81,120 |
Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Maine metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-South Portland | $57,380 | 780 |
| Lewiston-Auburn | $56,440 | 60 |
| Bangor | $54,990 | 120 |
Maine unemployment rate: 3.2% (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 Maine
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $43,370 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $45,290 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $47,990 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $43,490 |
| Bakers | $37,390 |
| Food Service Managers | $70,510 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $35,360 |
| Food Batchmakers | $42,260 |
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.