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Occupation · SOC 35-1011

Chefs and Head Cooks

There are 200,040 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $62,470 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

Food ServiceTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
200,040
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$62,470
Median pay a year
Middle half: $48,440–$78,750
25,200
Annual openings
10-year change: +6.6%
40
LCA filings, last 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 339 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $71,780 · LCA filings 520,010$71,7805
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $69,990 · LCA filings 111,430$69,9901
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $57,940 · LCA filings 38,210$57,9403
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $60,770 · LCA filings 16,840$60,7701
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $65,680 · LCA filings 15,700$65,6801
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $68,970 · LCA filings 25,340$68,9702
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $74,900 · LCA filings 34,680$74,9003
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $72,470 · LCA filings 04,430$72,4700
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CAMedian pay $60,600 · LCA filings 03,890$60,6000
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAMedian pay $80,330 · LCA filings 13,740$80,3301

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Terre Haute, INEmployment 50 · LCA filings 0$85,920500
Kahului–Wailuku, HIEmployment 250 · LCA filings 0$84,9902500
Albany–Schenectady–Troy, NYEmployment 470 · LCA filings 0$84,4304700
Morgantown, WVEmployment 70 · LCA filings 0$81,330700
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployment 3,740 · LCA filings 1$80,3303,7401

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXEmployers with LCA filings 5 · Employment 3,550753,550
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployers with LCA filings 3 · Employment 20,0105320,010
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLEmployers with LCA filings 3 · Employment 8,210338,210
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVEmployers with LCA filings 2 · Employment 4,680324,680
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployers with LCA filings 2 · Employment 5,340225,340

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $61,443 · Level III $74,714 · Level IV $87,963$48,194$61,443$74,714$87,963
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $55,120 · Level III $69,118 · Level IV $83,138$41,101$55,120$69,118$83,138
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $47,195 · Level III $60,070 · Level IV $72,946$34,320$47,195$60,070$72,946
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $55,598 · Level III $64,418 · Level IV $73,258$46,758$55,598$64,418$73,258
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $59,072 · Level III $71,198 · Level IV $83,304$46,966$59,072$71,198$83,304
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $58,989 · Level III $73,757 · Level IV $88,525$44,221$58,989$73,757$88,525
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $62,774 · Level III $74,152 · Level IV $85,509$51,418$62,774$74,152$85,509
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $63,773 · Level III $75,338 · Level IV $86,923$52,187$63,773$75,338$86,923
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CALevel II $53,061 · Level III $64,667 · Level IV $76,253$41,475$53,061$64,667$76,253
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WALevel II $66,165 · Level III $76,710 · Level IV $87,235$55,640$66,165$76,710$87,235
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $54,309 · Level III $66,768 · Level IV $79,206$41,870$54,309$66,768$79,206

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Culinary Arts and Related ServicesCIP 12.05OPT · up to 12 months381OPT · up to 12 months
Hospitality Administration/ManagementCIP 52.09OPT · up to 12 months1,222OPT · up to 12 months

See Chefs and Head Cooks in every metro area

All 339 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Food Service

Fast Food and Counter WorkersWaiters and WaitressesCooks, RestaurantFirst-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving WorkersFood Preparation WorkersBartendersHosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee ShopDining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology