TV shows and social media have glamorized life in the kitchen, turning chefs into pop-culture icons and sparking dreams of fame, food tours, and fortune. But for most culinary professionals, the reality is far less flashy. While some rise to the top, the average U.S. cook earns just under $37,000 a year, and chefs make about $64,720 on average.
So how much do the highest-paid chefs actually make—and where are they working?
To find out, the Chef’s Pencil research team analyzed the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), focusing on chefs in the 90th percentile to get a clearer picture of top-tier earnings at the state and metro levels.
11,000 chefs are making over $100,000 in the United States.
Our team estimates that approximately 11,000 chefs in the U.S. earn $100,000 or more per year. To arrive at this figure, we analyzed salary data from the 75th and 90th percentiles, using a statistical model to estimate how many chefs fall above the $100,000 threshold. For example, if the 90th percentile salary in the New York metro area is $100,730 and there are 15,560 chefs employed, then at least 1,556 chefs in that region earn $100,730 or more. We then adjusted this number upward to account for a portion of chefs in the 75th–90th percentile range who also likely earn six-figure salaries.
The highest numbers of chefs earning $100,000 or more are found in major metro areas known for their high wages, including New York (1,651), Los Angeles (924), Boston (820), San Francisco (794), and Miami (692).
In the New York metro area, the top 10% of chefs earn at least $100,730. In Boston ($112,630) and San Francisco ($118,990), that figure is even higher.
While these large metro areas naturally have the most top-paid chefs due to their size, two metro areas in Hawaii—Kahului-Wailuku and Urban Honolulu—offer the highest top-tier chef salaries in the country. In Kahului-Wailuku, chefs in the top 10% earn at least $134,990, while in Urban Honolulu, that threshold is $124,880.
Other high-paying areas include Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT; Naples-Marco Island, FL; Merced, CA; and Napa, CA, which all stand out with impressive salaries for the top echelon of chefs.
Check the interactive map below to see how much the top-paid chefs in your state earn.
Check the interactive map below to see how much the top-paid chefs in your metro area earn.
It’s also important to note that many of the best-paid chefs are business owners—they run or co-own restaurants, giving them the opportunity to earn not just a salary but also a share of the profits. For those with a strong entrepreneurial spirit, this can dramatically increase earning potential beyond what’s reflected in payroll data.
Job sites like Indeed also offer valuable insights, especially now that many cities and states require salary ranges in job postings. For instance, an executive chef position at Marriott in New York was recently advertised with a salary range up to $232,000—the highest we encountered during our research.
While the vast majority of chefs won’t earn celebrity-level pay, the data shows there is meaningful opportunity at the top of the profession — especially in high-cost, food-forward metro areas or through entrepreneurial ventures. For chefs who pair exceptional skill with leadership, business acumen, and creativity, six-figure salaries are increasingly attainable. The path isn’t easy, but for those willing to put in the work, the rewards can be just as rich as the dishes they create.
Methodology
To understand how much the top-earning chefs in the U.S. make — and where they are located — the Chef’s Pencil research team analyzed the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), specifically focusing on wage estimates for chefs and head cooks in the 90th percentile. This percentile represents the top 10% of earners in the occupation, offering a clearer picture of high-end salary benchmarks across states and metropolitan areas.
Using this data, we calculated the minimum annual wage that places a chef within the top 10% of earners in each metro area and state. To estimate how many chefs earn over $100,000 nationally, we used a statistical model that factors in both the number of employed chefs in each location and the distribution of wages between the 75th and 90th percentiles. For example, if a metro area has 15,560 chefs employed and a 90th percentile wage of $100,730, we assume at least 1,556 chefs in that region earn six figures or more. We also made upward adjustments to account for chefs in the 75th–90th percentile range who likely exceed the $100,000 threshold.
The estimate that approximately 11,000 chefs in the U.S. earn $100,000 or more reflects a conservative interpretation of the available data.
In addition to BLS data, we reviewed job postings from major employment platforms like Indeed, which now often include salary ranges due to pay transparency laws in various states. This allowed us to cross-reference top-end salary potential in real-world hiring situations. For instance, an executive chef role with Marriott in New York was listed with a salary up to $232,000, the highest figure we encountered during our research.
Finally, it’s important to note that BLS data does not fully capture chef-owners or culinary entrepreneurs, who often supplement their salary with business profits. As such, actual earnings for this group can be significantly higher than reported figures.
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