Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA
Chefs and Head Cooks in the Amherst Town-Northampton, MA metro area earn a median of $66,450 a year ($31.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,780 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $62,470. Pay here is 4% lower than the Massachusetts statewide median of $69,540. There are 2.4 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $68,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,730 | $21.50 |
| 25th percentile | $49,030 | $23.57 |
| Median | $66,450 | $31.95 |
| 75th percentile | $82,240 | $39.54 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85,780 | $41.24 |
| Average (mean) | $68,620 | $32.99 |
Half of chefs and head cooks earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,537.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,768.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,555.77 |
| Weekly | $1,277.88 |
| Hourly | $31.95 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $66,450 salary, see how much house you can afford in Massachusetts at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $79,340 | 1,070 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $72,470 | 4,430 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $67,700 | 260 |
| Worcester, MA | $64,620 | 560 |
| Springfield, MA | $64,000 | 300 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $61,580 | 180 |
Highest-paying states for chefs and head cooks
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $79,930 |
| Hawaii | $77,360 |
| District of Columbia | $76,420 |
| Washington | $76,010 |
| North Dakota | $74,740 |
| New Jersey | $74,280 |
| Wyoming | $73,170 |
| South Carolina | $71,860 |
| New York | $70,670 |
| Tennessee | $69,810 |
See Chefs and Head Cooks pay in every state or the Massachusetts statewide figures.
Related jobs in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $46,520 | $22.36 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,350 | $16.52 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,650 | $17.62 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $44,680 | $21.48 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $41,470 | $19.94 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $40,140 | $19.30 |
| Bartender | $35,300 | $16.97 |
| Dishwasher | $37,350 | $17.96 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $34,250 | $16.47 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $35,260 | $16.95 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,830 | $16.74 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $43,790 | $21.05 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chefs and head cooks make in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in the Amherst Town-Northampton, MA metro area is $66,450 a year, or $31.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in the Amherst Town-Northampton, MA metro area earn at least $85,780 a year. The top 25% earn $82,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,730 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $49,030 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?
About 150 chefs and head cooks are employed in the Amherst Town-Northampton, MA metro area, not counting the self-employed.