Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Connecticut

Chefs and head cooks in Connecticut earn the most in Bridgeport (average $74,660 a year) and the least in Waterbury ($65,270), across the 5 Connecticut metro areas we cover. Statewide, BLS puts the chefs and head cooks average at $69,680 and the median at $64,310 for 3,080 workers. The U.S. average for this job is $66,700.

Chefs and Head Cooks average salary by city in Connecticut

Bridgeport$74,660
New Haven$72,770
Norwich$68,170
Hartford$66,620
Waterbury$65,270

Pay, take-home pay and cost of living

City	Average	Median	25th pct.	Take-home*	Cost of living
Bridgeport	$74,660	$66,930	$55,590	$57,897	107
New Haven	$72,770	$66,700	$54,790	$56,671	105
Norwich	$68,170	$62,220	$48,860	$53,713	100
Hartford	$66,620	$62,820	$49,750	$52,708	103
Waterbury	$65,270	$59,080	$49,750	$51,735	100

*Average salary after federal and state taxes for a single filer; Connecticut tax is computed with the Department of Revenue Services' 2026 withholding rules (exemption, credit and recapture tables). Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.

Chefs and Head Cooks salary in other states

Chefs and Head Cooks salary by city and state

More about pay in Connecticut

Sources and how to read this page

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 35-1011.
U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.

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