How much does a chef and head cook make in Lakeland?
$50,720a year
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area. That is $24.38 an hour or $4,227 a month.
- Hourly
- $24.38
- Vs. national median
- -19%
- Rank among cities
- 262 of 340
- Jobs in the area
- 280
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $34,990Median: $50,720Highest 10%: $78,630
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,990 | $16.82 | |
| 25th | $42,820 | $20.59 | |
| Median | $50,720 | $24.38 | |
| 75th | $64,110 | $30.82 | |
| 90th | $78,630 | $37.80 |
Other cities in Florida
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks.
| Naples, FL | $68,830 |
| Orlando, FL | $61,390 |
| North Port, FL | $60,180 |
| Wildwood, FL | $59,510 |
| Tampa, FL | $58,240 |
| Miami, FL | $57,940 |
| Crestview, FL | $56,830 |
| Cape Coral, FL | $56,220 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $56,130 |
| Ocala, FL | $55,540 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $55,060 |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $54,340 |
| Tallahassee, FL | $53,060 |
| Deltona, FL | $52,110 |
| Palm Bay, FL | $50,220 |
| Sebastian, FL | $49,660 |
| Pensacola, FL | $48,710 |
| Panama City, FL | $47,540 |
| Gainesville, FL | $47,380 |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $41,680 |
Related jobs in Lakeland
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $43,220 |
| Cook | $36,250 |
| Cook | $35,600 |
| Cook | $35,320 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $35,270 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $34,930 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,610 |
| Bartender | $33,920 |
| Food Server | $33,670 |
| Dishwasher | $29,190 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chef and head cook make an hour in Lakeland?
The median hourly pay in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area is $24.38 ($50,720 a year).
Do chef and head cooks make more in Lakeland than the national average?
No: $50,720 against $62,470 nationally, 19% less.
How does Lakeland compare with the rest of Florida?
The median in Florida is $58,240, so Lakeland pays 13% less.
Where does Lakeland rank for chef and head cook pay?
262 of 340 metro areas with data.
How much does a chef and head cook make starting out in Lakeland?
The lowest-paid 10% make $34,990 or less a year; the top 10% make $78,630 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.