Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro
In Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro (OR), the median pay for chefs and head cooks is $31.58 an hour ($65,690 a year). About 1,580 people work in this job there.
That is 5% higher than the U.S. median ($62,470). It is 3% higher than the Oregon median ($63,600).
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro (OR)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $22.91 | $47,640 |
| 25% of workers | $27.02 | $56,200 |
| Half of workers (median) | $31.58 | $65,690 |
| 75% of workers | $38.20 | $79,450 |
| 90% of workers | $45.76 | $95,190 |
Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Oregon metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro (this page) | $65,690 | 1,580 |
| Medford | $64,700 | 120 |
| Salem | $63,750 | 210 |
| Eugene-Springfield | $62,960 | 230 |
| Bend | $62,110 | 180 |
| Corvallis | $58,240 | 90 |
Oregon unemployment rate: 5.1% (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 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro (OR)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $54,780 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $45,200 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $48,900 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $45,800 |
| Bakers | $43,440 |
| Food Service Managers | $63,840 |
| Food Batchmakers | $42,860 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $38,810 |
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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.