How much does a chef and head cook make in Rochester?
$66,080a year
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks in the Rochester, NY metro area. That is $31.77 an hour or $5,507 a month.
- Hourly
- $31.77
- Vs. national median
- +6%
- Rank among cities
- 61 of 340
- Jobs in the area
- 690
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $48,070Median: $66,080Highest 10%: $102,800
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $48,070 | $23.11 | |
| 25th | $52,520 | $25.25 | |
| Median | $66,080 | $31.77 | |
| 75th | $82,110 | $39.48 | |
| 90th | $102,800 | $49.42 |
Other cities in New York
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks.
| Albany, NY | $84,430 |
| Kingston, NY | $74,710 |
| Buffalo, NY | $74,290 |
| Kiryas Joel, NY | $72,340 |
| New York, NY | $71,780 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $67,590 |
| Syracuse, NY | $64,170 |
| Ithaca, NY | $64,010 |
| Binghamton, NY | $63,010 |
| Utica, NY | $61,090 |
Related jobs in Rochester
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Bartender | $45,920 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $45,310 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $43,040 |
| Cook | $38,670 |
| Cook | $38,380 |
| Cook | $36,580 |
| Food Server | $35,780 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $35,310 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,020 |
| Dishwasher | $33,880 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chef and head cook make an hour in Rochester?
The median hourly pay in the Rochester, NY metro area is $31.77 ($66,080 a year).
Do chef and head cooks make more in Rochester than the national average?
Yes: $66,080 against $62,470 nationally, 6% more.
How does Rochester compare with the rest of New York?
The median in New York is $70,670, so Rochester pays 6% less.
Where does Rochester rank for chef and head cook pay?
61 of 340 metro areas with data.
How much does a chef and head cook make starting out in Rochester?
The lowest-paid 10% make $48,070 or less a year; the top 10% make $102,800 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.