Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Maryland
In Maryland, the median pay for chefs and head cooks is $29.61 an hour ($61,590 a year). About 3,220 people work in this job there.
That is about the same as the U.S. median ($62,470). Maryland ranks 26th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Maryland
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $18.42 | $38,310 |
| 25% of workers | $21.65 | $45,030 |
| Half of workers (median) | $29.61 | $61,590 |
| 75% of workers | $37.78 | $78,590 |
| 90% of workers | $48.23 | $100,330 |
Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Maryland metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg | $59,510 | 40 |
| Salisbury | $59,470 | 50 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson | $59,290 | 1,740 |
| Lexington Park | $58,820 | 80 |
Maryland unemployment rate: 4.1% (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 Maryland
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,750 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $42,450 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,820 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $41,380 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $36,800 |
| Bakers | $37,040 |
| Dietetic Technicians | $33,710 |
| Food Batchmakers | $40,240 |
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.