Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Boston-Cambridge-Newton
In Boston-Cambridge-Newton (MA), the median pay for chefs and head cooks is $34.84 an hour ($72,470 a year). About 4,430 people work in this job there.
That is 16% higher than the U.S. median ($62,470). It is 4% higher than the Massachusetts median ($69,540).
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Boston-Cambridge-Newton (MA)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $23.47 | $48,820 |
| 25% of workers | $27.30 | $56,790 |
| Half of workers (median) | $34.84 | $72,470 |
| 75% of workers | $40.86 | $85,000 |
| 90% of workers | $48.43 | $100,740 |
Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Massachusetts metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton (this page) | $72,470 | 4,430 |
| Barnstable Town | $67,700 | 260 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton | $66,450 | 150 |
| Worcester | $64,620 | 560 |
| Springfield | $64,000 | 300 |
| Pittsfield | $61,580 | 180 |
Massachusetts unemployment rate: 4.3% (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 Boston-Cambridge-Newton (MA)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $39,270 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $45,830 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $47,090 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $48,530 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $39,600 |
| Bakers | $38,570 |
| Food Batchmakers | $37,010 |
| Food Service Managers | $92,650 |
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.