Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Chefs and Head Cooks in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median of $60,870 a year ($29.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,660 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,000 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $62,470. Pay here is 1% higher than the Michigan statewide median of $60,070. There are 1.4 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $64,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,410 | $21.35 |
| 25th percentile | $50,890 | $24.47 |
| Median | $60,870 | $29.27 |
| 75th percentile | $74,870 | $36.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,000 | $39.42 |
| Average (mean) | $64,580 | $31.05 |
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 | $5,072.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,536.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,341.15 |
| Weekly | $1,170.58 |
| Hourly | $29.27 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,870 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $63,050 | 150 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $61,890 | 610 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $60,910 | 260 |
| Midland, MI | $59,700 | 30 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $59,540 | 80 |
| Jackson, MI | $59,510 | 50 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $59,280 | 210 |
| Niles, MI | $58,570 | 120 |
| Flint, MI | $57,800 | 110 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $57,180 | 80 |
| Traverse City, MI | $57,000 | 130 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $56,580 | 70 |
| Saginaw, MI | $51,430 | 80 |
| Bay City, MI | $49,310 | 40 |
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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,570 | $18.54 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,590 | $14.23 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $37,490 | $18.02 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,410 | $17.98 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $33,060 | $15.90 |
| Bartender | $36,780 | $17.68 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $30,760 | $14.79 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,810 | $14.33 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $29,290 | $14.08 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $37,360 | $17.96 |
| Dishwasher | $34,350 | $16.51 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $35,170 | $16.91 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $35,630 | $17.13 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $35,100 | $16.88 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $60,870 a year, or $29.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn at least $82,000 a year. The top 25% earn $74,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,410 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $50,890 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
About 2,660 chefs and head cooks are employed in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.