How much does a chef and head cook make in Reading?
$66,980a year
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks in the Reading, PA metro area. That is $32.20 an hour or $5,582 a month.
- Hourly
- $32.20
- Vs. national median
- +7%
- Rank among cities
- 52 of 340
- Jobs in the area
- 210
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $41,420Median: $66,980Highest 10%: $108,200
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $41,420 | $19.91 | |
| 25th | $51,520 | $24.77 | |
| Median | $66,980 | $32.20 | |
| 75th | $85,080 | $40.90 | |
| 90th | $108,200 | $52.03 |
Other cities in Pennsylvania
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks.
| Pittsburgh, PA | $66,320 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $65,680 |
| Allentown, PA | $63,220 |
| Scranton, PA | $60,750 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $59,950 |
| Harrisburg, PA | $59,690 |
| State College, PA | $58,560 |
| Lancaster, PA | $58,040 |
| York, PA | $56,860 |
| Johnstown, PA | $56,440 |
| Lebanon, PA | $52,870 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $52,000 |
| Erie, PA | $51,340 |
| Altoona, PA | $49,040 |
| Williamsport, PA | $47,840 |
Related jobs in Reading
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $39,800 |
| Cook | $36,590 |
| Cook | $36,020 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $31,580 |
| Food Server | $30,810 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $30,760 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $28,910 |
| Bartender | $28,260 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $28,190 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $28,090 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chef and head cook make an hour in Reading?
The median hourly pay in the Reading, PA metro area is $32.20 ($66,980 a year).
Do chef and head cooks make more in Reading than the national average?
Yes: $66,980 against $62,470 nationally, 7% more.
How does Reading compare with the rest of Pennsylvania?
The median in Pennsylvania is $63,860, so Reading pays 5% more.
Where does Reading rank for chef and head cook pay?
52 of 340 metro areas with data.
How much does a chef and head cook make starting out in Reading?
The lowest-paid 10% make $41,420 or less a year; the top 10% make $108,200 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.