What are the main factors that influence a Chef and Head Cook's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

What industry pays the highest salary for Chef and Head Cook?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Chef and Head Cook roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

How does experience change A Chef and Head Cook's salary?

A Chef and Head Cook's salary grows with experience: starting around $32,216 for beginners, reaching about $33,448 at mid-level, and approach $33,736 for experts.

What are the highest paying states for a Chef and Head Cook?

Chef and Head Cook salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Chef and Head Cook roles are District of Columbia $39,684, California $39,533, Massachusetts $39,006. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Chef and Head Cook roles make?

Salaries for Chef and Head Cook level roles vary by specialization: Head Chef: $87,300; Head Sushi Chef: $87,248; Executive Chef: $87,215; Head Pastry Chef: $58,640; Cook III: $42,451.

Chef and Head Cook Salary in New Mexico

How much does a Chef and Head Cook make in New Mexico? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chef and Head Cook in New Mexico is $33,196 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $16.

However, a Chef and Head Cook's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

Top Earners (90th percentile): $38,149
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $30,858 to $35,789
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $28,729

10% $28,729

50% (Median) $33,196

90% $38,149

Chef and Head Cook Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$35,789	$2,982	$688	$17
Average	$33,196	$2,766	$638	$16
25th Percentile	$30,858	$2,571	$593	$15

Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

For HR & Compensation Team

What should I pay?

See how Salary.com helps teams price roles more accurately.

Benchmark Chef and Head Cook with confidence

Get deeper market data to support decisions.

Work Email

Phone No.

Choose a perfect time to talk with a compensation expert.

Book a Demo

Check out Chef and Head Cook Job Openings in New Mexico

Chef Cook

Stellar Senior Living – Albuquerque, NM

Cook Prep Cook Sous Chef

Pointe Frontier Retirement Community – Farmington, NM

Head Cook

YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids – MIDDLEVILLE, MI

Chef

Pomeroy Living – LAPEER, MI

Key Factors That Influence Chef and Head Cook Salaries

A Chef and Head Cook's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Chef and Head Cook Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Chef and Head Cook's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $32,216
Early Career (1-2 years): $32,656
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $33,448
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $33,556
Expert (over 8 years): $33,736

Job Role	Years of Experience	Average Salary
Entry Level Chef and Head Cook	less than 1 year	$32,216
Early Career Level Chef and Head Cook	1-2 years	$32,656
Mid-Level Level Chef and Head Cook	2-4 years	$33,448
Senior-Level Level Chef and Head Cook	5-8 years	$33,556
Expert Level Chef and Head Cook	over 8 years	$33,736

How Do Chef and Head Cook Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Chef and Head Cooks. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $39,684.
California: $39,533.
Massachusetts: $39,006.

District of Columbia $39,684 California $39,533 Massachusetts $39,006 Washington $38,863 New Jersey $38,848 Alaska $38,798 Connecticut $38,304 New York $38,103

Hawaii $37,461 Rhode Island $37,160 Maryland $36,956 Minnesota $36,677 Colorado $36,569 Illinois $36,533 Oregon $36,397 Delaware $36,297

New Hampshire $36,234 Virginia $36,092 Pennsylvania $35,680 Nevada $35,472 North Dakota $35,404 Michigan $35,297 Wisconsin $35,257 Vermont $35,178

Texas $34,960 Maine $34,945 Arizona $34,924 Ohio $34,899 Georgia $34,569 Indiana $34,404 Wyoming $34,372 Utah $34,322

Iowa $34,300 Kansas $34,128 Louisiana $34,078 North Carolina $34,060 Missouri $34,053 Florida $33,913 Montana $33,838 Nebraska $33,766

Kentucky $33,727 South Carolina $33,583 Tennessee $33,494 Idaho $33,458 New Mexico $33,196 Oklahoma $33,139 Alabama $32,927 South Dakota $32,573

Arkansas $32,379 West Virginia $32,275 Mississippi $31,963

Top Paying Cities for Chef and Head Cook

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

Algodones: $33,550
Belen: $33,363
Bernalillo: $33,609

Algodones, NM $33,550

Belen, NM $33,363

Bernalillo, NM $33,609

Bluewater, NM $32,903

Bosque, NM $33,118

Casa Blanca, NM $33,193

Cedar Crest, NM $33,637

Cedarvale, NM $32,318

Cerrillos, NM $33,574

Claunch, NM $32,198

Coyote, NM $33,079

Cuba, NM $33,026

Cubero, NM $33,266

Edgewood, NM $33,487

Estancia, NM $33,088

Gallina, NM $32,906

Counselor, NM $32,927

Grants, NM $32,866

Milan, NM $32,997

Isleta, NM $33,667

Jarales, NM $33,331

Jemez Pueblo, NM $33,388

Jemez Springs, NM $33,286

Laguna, NM $33,429

La Jara, NM $32,989

La Joya, NM $32,913

Lindrith, NM $32,873

Los Lunas, NM $33,540

Mcintosh, NM $33,270

Pueblo Of Acoma, NM $33,048

Moriarty, NM $33,158

Mountainair, NM $32,800

Nageezi, NM $32,883

New Laguna, NM $33,250

Paguate, NM $33,273

Pena Blanca, NM $33,644

Peralta, NM $33,593

Placitas, NM $33,610

Ponderosa, NM $33,346

Prewitt, NM $32,893

Regina, NM $32,916

Sandia Park, NM $33,553

Corrales, NM $33,679

San Fidel, NM $33,071

San Rafael, NM $32,930

Santo Domingo Pueblo, NM $33,553

San Ysidro, NM $33,508

Stanley, NM $33,153

Tijeras, NM $33,557

Tome, NM $33,495

Torreon, NM $33,383

Veguita, NM $33,115

Willard, NM $32,741

Youngsville, NM $33,089

Bosque Farms, NM $33,654

Clines Corners, NM $32,953

Cochiti Pueblo, NM $33,578

Cochiti Lake, NM $33,622

Albuquerque, NM $33,698

Kirtland Afb, NM $33,698

Rio Rancho, NM $33,643

Gallup, NM $32,941

Brimhall, NM $32,848

Church Rock, NM $32,863

Continental Divide, NM $32,840

Crownpoint, NM $32,867

Fence Lake, NM $32,721

Fort Wingate, NM $32,852

Gamerco, NM $32,907

Mentmore, NM $32,856

Mexican Springs, NM $32,852

Ramah, NM $32,792

Rehoboth, NM $32,874

Thoreau, NM $32,876

Tohatchi, NM $32,846

Vanderwagen, NM $32,852

Zuni, NM $32,844

Navajo, NM $32,889

Jamestown, NM $32,807

Pinehill, NM $32,767

Sheep Springs, NM $32,881

Smith Lake, NM $33,004

Yatahey, NM $32,869

Farmington, NM $33,027

Aztec, NM $33,088

Blanco, NM $32,934

Bloomfield, NM $32,895

Flora Vista, NM $33,062

Fruitland, NM $32,855

Kirtland, NM $33,062

La Plata, NM $33,074

Navajo Dam, NM $33,059

Shiprock, NM $33,013

Waterflow, NM $32,996

Newcomb, NM $32,861

Sanostee, NM $32,882

Santa Fe, NM $33,870

Abiquiu, NM $32,944

Alcalde, NM $33,517

Amalia, NM $32,893

Arroyo Hondo, NM $32,847

Arroyo Seco, NM $32,885

Canjilon, NM $32,842

Canones, NM $33,141

Carson, NM $32,973

Cebolla, NM $32,861

Cerro, NM $32,871

Chama, NM $33,005

Chamisal, NM $33,429

Chimayo, NM $33,663

Cordova, NM $33,606

Costilla, NM $33,031

Taos Ski Valley, NM $32,781

Dixon, NM $33,397

Dulce, NM $33,005

El Prado, NM $32,914

El Rito, NM $33,065

Embudo, NM $33,225

Espanola, NM $33,622

Glorieta, NM $33,740

Hernandez, NM $33,310

Ilfeld, NM $33,428

La Madera, NM $33,007

Lamy, NM $33,611

Llano, NM $33,361

Los Alamos, NM $33,691

White Rock, NM $33,754

Medanales, NM $33,347

Ojo Caliente, NM $33,151

Los Ojos, NM $32,924

Pecos, NM $33,635

Penasco, NM $33,237

Petaca, NM $32,811

Questa, NM $32,906

Ranchos De Taos, NM $33,079

Red River, NM $32,812

Ribera, NM $33,023

Rowe, NM $33,460

San Cristobal, NM $32,811

San Jose, NM $33,377

Ohkay Owingeh, NM $33,540

Santa Cruz, NM $33,652

Serafina, NM $32,939

Taos, NM $32,895

Tererro, NM $33,742

Tesuque, NM $33,870

Tierra Amarilla, NM $32,895

Trampas, NM $33,210

Tres Piedras, NM $32,802

Truchas, NM $33,512

Vadito, NM $33,193

Valdez, NM $32,835

Vallecitos, NM $32,810

Velarde, NM $33,346

Villanueva, NM $32,959

Spaceport City, NM $32,287

Las Vegas, NM $32,679

Angel Fire, NM $32,776

Anton Chico, NM $32,623

Buena Vista, NM $32,922

Chacon, NM $32,946

Cimarron, NM $32,725

Cleveland, NM $33,179

Eagle Nest, NM $32,749

Guadalupita, NM $32,895

Holman, NM $33,095

La Loma, NM $32,568

Maxwell, NM $32,736

Miami, NM $32,665

Mills, NM $32,549

Montezuma, NM $33,348

Mora, NM $33,226

Mosquero, NM $32,521

Ocate, NM $32,701

Ojo Feliz, NM $32,787

Rainsville, NM $32,930

Raton, NM $32,818

Rociada, NM $33,365

Roy, NM $32,556

Sapello, NM $33,075

Solano, NM $32,516

Springer, NM $32,651

Ute Park, NM $32,740

Valmora, NM $32,652

Wagon Mound, NM $32,615

Watrous, NM $32,663

Socorro, NM $32,587

Aragon, NM $32,686

Datil, NM $32,551

Lemitar, NM $32,739

Luna, NM $32,744

Magdalena, NM $32,554

Pie Town, NM $32,662

Polvadera, NM $32,818

Quemado, NM $32,730

Reserve, NM $32,671

San Acacia, NM $32,872

San Antonio, NM $32,407

Truth Or Consequences, NM $32,400

Arrey, NM $32,395

Caballo, NM $32,417

Derry, NM $32,252

Elephant Butte, NM $32,484

Garfield, NM $32,159

Hatch, NM $31,643

Monticello, NM $32,398

Rincon, NM $31,461

Salem, NM $32,058

Williamsburg, NM $32,441

Winston, NM $32,422

Las Cruces, NM $31,049

White Sands Missile Range, NM $31,151

Santa Teresa, NM $31,378

Playas, NM $32,550

Animas, NM $32,630

Anthony, NM $31,370

Arenas Valley, NM $32,572

Bayard, NM $32,542

Berino, NM $31,228

Buckhorn, NM $32,576

Santa Clara, NM $32,599

Chamberino, NM $31,261

Cliff, NM $32,538

Columbus, NM $32,451

Deming, NM $32,458

Dona Ana, NM $31,050

Fairacres, NM $31,143

Faywood, NM $32,443

Fort Bayard, NM $32,568

Gila, NM $32,490

Glenwood, NM $32,516

Hachita, NM $32,451

Hanover, NM $32,458

Hillsboro, NM $32,391

Hurley, NM $32,520

La Mesa, NM $31,643

Lordsburg, NM $32,526

Mesilla, NM $31,050

Mesilla Park, NM $31,053

Mesquite, NM $31,080

Mimbres, NM $32,483

Mule Creek, NM $32,571

Organ, NM $31,069

Pinos Altos, NM $32,538

Radium Springs, NM $31,063

Redrock, NM $32,455

Rodeo, NM $32,671

San Miguel, NM $31,068

Silver City, NM $32,538

Sunland Park, NM $31,211

Tyrone, NM $32,634

Vado, NM $31,092

Chaparral, NM $31,485

Clovis, NM $32,476

Cannon Afb, NM $32,404

Broadview, NM $32,381

Causey, NM $32,325

Crossroads, NM $32,249

Dora, NM $32,402

Elida, NM $32,268

Floyd, NM $32,346

Fort Sumner, NM $32,320

Grady, NM $32,412

House, NM $32,386

Kenna, NM $32,268

Lingo, NM $32,323

Melrose, NM $32,391

Milnesand, NM $32,255

Pep, NM $32,299

Portales, NM $32,417

Rogers, NM $32,308

Saint Vrain, NM $32,412

Taiban, NM $32,309

Texico, NM $32,425

Yeso, NM $32,192

Roswell, NM $32,229

Artesia, NM $32,293

Caprock, NM $32,227

Carlsbad, NM $32,314

Dexter, NM $32,252

Eunice, NM $32,343

Hagerman, NM $32,268

Hobbs, NM $32,390

Hope, NM $32,150

Jal, NM $32,305

Lake Arthur, NM $32,215

Lakewood, NM $32,263

Loco Hills, NM $32,322

Loving, NM $32,306

Lovington, NM $32,359

Mcdonald, NM $32,271

Malaga, NM $32,274

Maljamar, NM $32,243

Monument, NM $32,319

Tatum, NM $32,291

Whites City, NM $32,345

Carrizozo, NM $32,076

Alamogordo, NM $31,974

Alto, NM $32,081

Bent, NM $31,980

Capitan, NM $32,006

Cloudcroft, NM $31,977

Corona, NM $32,216

Encino, NM $32,474

Fort Stanton, NM $32,020

Glencoe, NM $31,997

High Rolls Mountain Park, NM $31,971

Holloman Air Force Base, NM $31,971

Hondo, NM $32,026

La Luz, NM $31,971

Lincoln, NM $31,933

Mayhill, NM $32,043

Mescalero, NM $31,985

Nogal, NM $32,122

Orogrande, NM $31,987

Picacho, NM $32,020

Pinon, NM $32,140

Ruidoso, NM $32,142

Ruidoso Downs, NM $32,098

Sacramento, NM $31,999

San Patricio, NM $32,037

Sunspot, NM $31,971

Timberon, NM $32,040

Tinnie, NM $32,001

Tularosa, NM $31,992

Vaughn, NM $32,344

Weed, NM $32,039

Tucumcari, NM $32,504

Amistad, NM $32,462

Bard, NM $32,410

Capulin, NM $32,777

Clayton, NM $32,525

Conchas Dam, NM $32,555

Cuervo, NM $32,398

Des Moines, NM $32,648

Folsom, NM $32,698

Garita, NM $32,492

Gladstone, NM $32,558

Grenville, NM $32,552

Logan, NM $32,503

Mcalister, NM $32,402

Nara Visa, NM $32,426

Newkirk, NM $32,462

Quay, NM $32,481

San Jon, NM $32,446

Santa Rosa, NM $32,481

Sedan, NM $32,492

Trementina, NM $32,491

Chef and Head Cook Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Chef and Head Cook roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Hospitality & Leisure sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Chef and Head Cook positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Chef and Head Cook as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Chef and Head Cook

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare	$43,155	$21.0	30%
Hospitality & Leisure	$34,856	$17.0	5%

Chef and Head Cook Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Chef and Head Cook's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

$30,858

Average $33,196/year

$35,789

$2,571

Average $2,766/month

$2,982

$593

Average $638/week

$688

$15

Average $16/hour

$17

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$35,789	$2,982	$688	$17
Average	$33,196	$2,766	$638	$16
25th Percentile	$30,858	$2,571	$593	$15

Find Your Next Chef and Head Cook Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Chef and Head Cook job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

Asheville Jewish Community Center | ASHEVILLE, NC

Head Lifeguard

Asheville Jewish Community Center | ASHEVILLE, NC

Head Lifeguard (Full-Time). Head Lifeguard. Pay Rate: $16.00-17.00 per hour depending on certifications. Schedule: Regularly scheduled full-time or part-ti... more

12 Days Ago
GlobalGiving Foundation | REMOTE, OR

Head of Data&Analytics

GlobalGiving Foundation | REMOTE, OR

Description. GlobalGiving is a nonprofit that connects donors with community-led organizations around the world. We have accumulated rich data across our d... more

14 Days Ago
Paladin Inc | MICHIGAN CITY, IN

Classroom Float

Paladin Inc | MICHIGAN CITY, IN

POSITION SUMMARY: Nurture curiosity through purposeful experiences to create a future full of lifelong learners. Help to meet the diverse needs of our fami... more

22 Days Ago
Target Hospitality | WINTERS, TX

Head Chef

Target Hospitality | WINTERS, TX

Target Hospitality is seeking a Head Chef to lead kitchen operations within our Food & Beverage Operations department, supporting remote workforce housing ... more

9 Days Ago
Aramark | DEWITT, NY

Head Cook

Aramark | DEWITT, NY

As Head Cook at Aramark, you will lead daily kitchen operations in a fast-paced food service environment, preparing high-quality meals that reflect Aramark... more

7 Days Ago
ARAMARK | ELIZABETH CITY, NC

Head Sous Chef

ARAMARK | ELIZABETH CITY, NC

Aramark is seeking a distinguished Head Sous Chef to join our thriving food service team. This pivotal role contributes to our commitment to culinary excel... more

7 Days Ago

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
Job and employee pricing reports
Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.

Learn about

Salary Search

Salary Calculator Tools

Know Your Worth

Advance at Work

Explore Career Path

Land Your Next Role

Software + AI

Data

Survey Catalogue

Chef and Head Cook Salary in New Mexico

Check out Chef and Head Cook Job Openings in New Mexico

Key Factors That Influence Chef and Head Cook Salaries

How Experience Level Affects Chef and Head Cook Salaries?

How Do Chef and Head Cook Salaries Vary from State to State?

Top Paying Cities for Chef and Head Cook

Chef and Head Cook Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

The top paying industries for a Chef and Head Cook

Chef and Head Cook Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Find Your Next Chef and Head Cook Job

For Employees

For Employers

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Chef and Head Cook Salary in New Mexico

Check out Chef and Head Cook Job Openings in New Mexico

Key Factors That Influence Chef and Head Cook Salaries

How Experience Level Affects Chef and Head Cook Salaries?

How Do Chef and Head Cook Salaries Vary from State to State?

Top Paying Cities for Chef and Head Cook

Chef and Head Cook Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

The top paying industries for a Chef and Head Cook

Chef and Head Cook Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Salaries of jobs related to Chef and Head Cook

Find Your Next Chef and Head Cook Job

For Employees

For Employers

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?