How much does a chef and head cook make in Portland?
$57,380a year
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area. That is $27.59 an hour or $4,782 a month.
- Hourly
- $27.59
- Vs. national median
- -8%
- Rank among cities
- 201 of 340
- Jobs in the area
- 780
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $51,520Median: $57,380Highest 10%: $80,910
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $51,520 | $24.77 | |
| 25th | $55,900 | $26.88 | |
| Median | $57,380 | $27.59 | |
| 75th | $62,720 | $30.15 | |
| 90th | $80,910 | $38.90 |
Other cities in Maine
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks.
| Lewiston, ME | $56,440 |
| Bangor, ME | $54,990 |
Related jobs in Portland
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Bartender | $54,170 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $49,880 |
| Cook | $47,000 |
| Cook | $46,560 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $44,070 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $39,170 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $37,260 |
| Food Server | $37,200 |
| Host and Hostess | $37,100 |
| Cook | $36,470 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chef and head cook make an hour in Portland?
The median hourly pay in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area is $27.59 ($57,380 a year).
Do chef and head cooks make more in Portland than the national average?
No: $57,380 against $62,470 nationally, 8% less.
How does Portland compare with the rest of Maine?
The median in Maine is $57,010, so Portland pays 1% more.
Where does Portland rank for chef and head cook pay?
201 of 340 metro areas with data.
How much does a chef and head cook make starting out in Portland?
The lowest-paid 10% make $51,520 or less a year; the top 10% make $80,910 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.