Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Michigan
In Michigan, the median pay for chefs and head cooks is $28.88 an hour ($60,070 a year). About 5,360 people work in this job there.
That is 4% lower than the U.S. median ($62,470). Michigan ranks 32nd of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Michigan
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $20.28 | $42,170 |
| 25% of workers | $23.54 | $48,970 |
| Half of workers (median) | $28.88 | $60,070 |
| 75% of workers | $35.62 | $74,090 |
| 90% of workers | $39.42 | $82,000 |
Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Michigan metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Kalamazoo-Portage | $63,050 | 150 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood | $61,890 | 610 |
| Ann Arbor | $60,910 | 260 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | $60,870 | 2,660 |
| Midland | $59,700 | 30 |
| Battle Creek | $59,540 | 80 |
| Jackson | $59,510 | 50 |
| Lansing-East Lansing | $59,280 | 210 |
| Niles | $58,570 | 120 |
| Flint | $57,800 | 110 |
| Traverse City | $57,000 | 130 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores | $56,580 | 70 |
| Saginaw | $51,430 | 80 |
| Bay City | $49,310 | 40 |
Michigan unemployment rate: 5% (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 Michigan
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $37,760 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,980 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,940 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,870 |
| Food Service Managers | $60,790 |
| Bakers | $35,830 |
| Food Batchmakers | $40,160 |
| Dietetic Technicians | $36,420 |
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.