Chefs and Head Cooks pay range in State College
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $38,500 a year or less, while the top 10% make $86,670 or more. The middle half of chefs and head cooks in State College earn between $43,990 and $76,590.
- $38K10th
- $44K25th
- $59KMedian
- $77K75th
- $87K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $60,150 | $5,012 | $28.92 |
| Median | $58,560 | $4,880 | $28.15 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $43,990 | $3,666 | $21.15 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $76,590 | $6,382 | $36.82 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Chefs and Head Cooks pay in State College vs. Pennsylvania and the U.S.
Chefs and head cooks in State College earn 11% less than the Pennsylvania average ($67,890) and 10% less than the U.S. average ($66,700). At the median the gap is -6% against the U.S. median of $62,470.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State College | $60,150 | $58,560 | $38,500 | $86,670 | 120 |
| Pennsylvania | $67,890 | $63,860 | $39,040 | $95,830 | 9,170 |
| United States | $66,700 | $62,470 | $37,900 | $98,560 | 200,040 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary after taxes in State College
On the average salary of $60,150, a single filer in State College takes home about $48,664 a year, or $4,055 a month and $1,872 every two weeks. Taxes take 19% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
Is State College a good place for chefs and head cooks? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the State College area are 3% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 96.8), so the average $60,150 buys what about $62,163 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.2 times the median wage of all jobs in State College ($49,220). A typical home costs $353,680, or 5.9 years of this average salary before tax.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary in other Pennsylvania cities
State College ranks 10th of 16 Pennsylvania metro areas for this job; Philadelphia pays the most ($71,310).
- Philadelphia$71,310
- Reading$70,150
- Pittsburgh$69,290
- Allentown$66,010
- Scranton$64,410
- York$62,800
- Lancaster$61,840
- Johnstown$61,810
- Harrisburg$61,760
- State College$60,150
Highest-paying cities for chefs and head cooks
Kahului, HI pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($91,380).
- Kahului, HI$91,380
- Napa, CA$83,750
- San Jose, CA$80,150
- Albany, NY$79,500
- Providence, RI$79,440
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Chefs and Head Cooks salary in State College: questions
How much do chefs and head cooks make an hour in State College?
$28.92 an hour on average, and $28.15 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level chefs and head cooks salary in State College?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $38,500 a year and the 25th percentile is $43,990, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the chefs and head cooks take-home pay in State College?
About $48,664 a year ($4,055 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $60,150. Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
Do chefs and head cooks earn more in State College than elsewhere?
The average here is 10% less than the U.S. average for this job ($66,700).
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; area State College, PA (44300). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.1%.
- 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.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.41, this job is 1.4 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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