Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn
In Detroit-Warren-Dearborn (MI), the median pay for chefs and head cooks is $29.27 an hour ($60,870 a year). About 2,660 people work in this job there.
That is 3% lower than the U.S. median ($62,470). It is about the same as the Michigan median ($60,070).
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn (MI)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $21.35 | $44,410 |
| 25% of workers | $24.47 | $50,890 |
| Half of workers (median) | $29.27 | $60,870 |
| 75% of workers | $36.00 | $74,870 |
| 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 (this page) | $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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn (MI)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $37,490 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,410 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,570 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $37,360 |
| Food Service Managers | $61,060 |
| Bakers | $36,970 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $35,630 |
| Dietetic Technicians | $36,800 |
Other job titles for this job
Open chefs and head cooks jobs on JAI Bot
No open jobs in this field right now. Search all jobs or set up a free job alert.
Hiring chefs and head cooks? Use the free hiring guide for a job description and interview questions, then post the job on JAI Bot. Every job shows typical pay to job seekers.
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.