How much does a chef and head cook make in Albany?
$84,430a year
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area. That is $40.59 an hour or $7,036 a month.
- Hourly
- $40.59
- Vs. national median
- +35%
- Rank among cities
- 3 of 340
- Jobs in the area
- 470
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $51,640Median: $84,430Highest 10%: $96,730
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $51,640 | $24.83 | |
| 25th | $63,570 | $30.56 | |
| Median | $84,430 | $40.59 | |
| 75th | $93,600 | $45.00 | |
| 90th | $96,730 | $46.50 |
Other cities in New York
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks.
| Kingston, NY | $74,710 |
| Buffalo, NY | $74,290 |
| Kiryas Joel, NY | $72,340 |
| New York, NY | $71,780 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $67,590 |
| Rochester, NY | $66,080 |
| Syracuse, NY | $64,170 |
| Ithaca, NY | $64,010 |
| Binghamton, NY | $63,010 |
| Utica, NY | $61,090 |
Related jobs in Albany
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Waiter and Waitress | $48,980 |
| Bartender | $47,370 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $45,330 |
| Cook | $43,550 |
| Cook | $39,610 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $36,460 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,260 |
| Food Server | $35,550 |
| Dishwasher | $34,580 |
| Host and Hostess | $34,560 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chef and head cook make an hour in Albany?
The median hourly pay in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area is $40.59 ($84,430 a year).
Do chef and head cooks make more in Albany than the national average?
Yes: $84,430 against $62,470 nationally, 35% more.
How does Albany compare with the rest of New York?
The median in New York is $70,670, so Albany pays 19% more.
Where does Albany rank for chef and head cook pay?
3 of 340 metro areas with data.
How much does a chef and head cook make starting out in Albany?
The lowest-paid 10% make $51,640 or less a year; the top 10% make $96,730 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.