How much does a chef and head cook make in Salem?
$63,750a year
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks in the Salem, OR metro area. That is $30.65 an hour or $5,313 a month.
- Hourly
- $30.65
- Vs. national median
- +2%
- Rank among cities
- 82 of 340
- Jobs in the area
- 210
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $46,100Median: $63,750Highest 10%: $88,190
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $46,100 | $22.16 | |
| 25th | $54,770 | $26.33 | |
| Median | $63,750 | $30.65 | |
| 75th | $76,090 | $36.58 | |
| 90th | $88,190 | $42.40 |
Other cities in Oregon
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks.
| Portland, OR | $65,690 |
| Medford, OR | $64,700 |
| Eugene, OR | $62,960 |
| Bend, OR | $62,110 |
| Corvallis, OR | $58,240 |
Related jobs in Salem
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Waiter and Waitress | $48,720 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $45,660 |
| Cook | $44,690 |
| Cook | $39,170 |
| Bartender | $38,410 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $37,300 |
| Host and Hostess | $36,780 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $35,250 |
| Dishwasher | $35,070 |
| Cook | $34,910 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chef and head cook make an hour in Salem?
The median hourly pay in the Salem, OR metro area is $30.65 ($63,750 a year).
Do chef and head cooks make more in Salem than the national average?
Yes: $63,750 against $62,470 nationally, 2% more.
How does Salem compare with the rest of Oregon?
The median in Oregon is $63,600, so Salem pays 0% more.
Where does Salem rank for chef and head cook pay?
82 of 340 metro areas with data.
How much does a chef and head cook make starting out in Salem?
The lowest-paid 10% make $46,100 or less a year; the top 10% make $88,190 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.